`The most realistic play I've ever seen." That was the verdict of my seven-year-old companion (who has seen all-too-many plays) after viewing Barnstorm Theatre Company's production, aimed at six- to 10-year-olds.
"Realism" is not the first word that springs to an adult mind when confronted with a musical comedy in which adults play kids and the dramatic proceedings are wrapped up with the most rose-tinted of happy endings. But who am I to argue?
Bernard Farrell's script, a localised version of a German play, Max und Milli by Volkar Ludwig, does, in fact, capture children's speech, and their emotional concerns, remarkably well. Mainly the focus is on fears: of the dark, of loneliness, of abandonment, of violence. Mary and Davy O'Leary have lost their father, who ran off; their new friend Kevin has lost his mother, who died, and he is physically and psychologically abused by his father and stepmother. Hmmm, when you look at it like that, maybe it's just as well that the ending is so pat.
The feel-good factor flows largely from the energy of the cast, who spring wonderfully around the compact, flexible set, which alternates quickly and cleverly between a bedroom and a playground. John Desmond and Alan Cooke as Davy and Kevin are particularly strong, in a play that is largely preoccupied with their male bonding. Pesky little sister Mary (Sarah Doherty) is a little too manic and stereotypically telly-obsessed, though the girls who were with me - little and big sister alike - enjoyed her immensely.
Runs tonight then tours to Hawk's Well, Sligo (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday), Gaiety, Dublin (March 21st-24th), Dunamaise, Portlaoise (March 27th, 28th), An Grianan, Letterkenny (March 30th, 31st), Belltable, Limerick, April 3rd-6th, Backstage, Longford, April 10th-14th, Dundalk Town Hall, April 17th, 18th. Contact Barnstorm on 056-70495.
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