| Theatre and Gig Reviews THEATRE
REVIEW
Translations
By Tony Birtill
The National Theatre’s decision to revive Translations for a national
tour is most welcome as the continuing peace process in Ireland means people
are more willing to openly discuss the overt political themes of the play
— first staged in Derry in 1980.
The NT’s own website lists two of these as: “The relationship between
the population of a country and an occupying force or outside group who
impose rules and regulations on the inhabitants” and: “Can an occupying
force ever be benevolent?”
And yes, I was reminded of Iraq as well.
But it’s the language question which dominates the play and Kenny Ireland
is superb as Hugh, the schoolmaster who feels that ancient Greek and Latin
have more intellectual worth to the local country folk than English.
David Ganly gives a powerful performance as Manus, one of Hugh’s sons
who also teaches in the school.
He is also committed to Irish but is made brutally aware of the encroachment
of English by Maire, the local girl he hopes to marry. Her ambition is to
learn English so that she can emigrate to America and quotes Daniel O’Connell
saying: “The old language is a barrier to modern progress.”
Maire falls for Lieutenant Yolland, one of the British Army Ordnance
Survey team busy Anglicising the local place names with the aid of another
of Hugh’s sons Owen.
Unlike Captain Lancey who is a typical colonist Yolland becomes fascinated
by the culture and inhabitants of Ireland and attempts to learn the language.
He understands the nature of cultural imperialism and sums up the translation
of local place names into English as “an eviction of sorts”. This, of course,
is the pith of the whole play.
Unfortunately, in this production he is portrayed as an over-romantic,
gone-native figure who comes across as the Shakespearean fool. This detracts
somewhat from the astute, incisive observations he makes about the work
the army is involved in.
Manus sums the whole thing up when he tells his brother: “It’s a bloody
military operation.”
This makes Maire’s relationship with Yolland even more poignant and the
play ends on a tragic note with Hugh’s classical quotations about the fall
of Troy.
A great play, highly recommended.
Starring David Ganly, Kenny Ireland.
Remaining tour dates: Huddersfield, Lawrence Batley Theatre, October
25-29; Cardiff, Sherman Theatre, November 1-2; Brecon, Theatre Brycheiniog,
November 4-5; Southampton, Nuffield Theatre, November 7-12; London, NT Cottesloe
Theatre November 15-December 1.
THEATRE PREVIEW
Queen’s English
By Grainne McLoughlin
An Englishman, Irishman and Scotsman are all teaching English to foreign
exchange students. And while you’d be forgiven for thinking it just another
age-old joke it is actually the premise of an all-new play set to debut
at Watford Palace Theatre — Queen’s English.
Joining the three men is a gay black Welshman and an American Jewish
woman posing as the ‘boss’.
Needless to say, the possibilities are endless and as the debates about
political correctness and national identity continue, the play does well
not to discriminate against anyone while at the same time potentially offending
everyone.
Penned by Vanessa Brooks, former writer-in-residence at the Stephen Joseph
Theatre in Scarborough, the play draws on her own experiences of teaching
English to foreign students.
While the work is essentially a comic look at the human race it also
throws up a lot of questions particularly in today’s uncertain times. It
particularly explores Britain’s relationship with itself and with the world.
One incident includes Ruby, the new owner of the language school housed
in an historic Hertfordshire regency pile, showing no respect for the history
and fabric of the building. “Listed schmisted,” she says. “We need colour,
lights, technology, showers!”
Yet ironically she has fought to engage the services of the Queen to
perform the re-opening ceremony.
Cast in this exciting play is Enniskillen-born actress Annie Farr whose
previous credits include Translations, The Playboy Of The Western World
and Holby City.
Starring: Annie Farr.
Queen’s English runs at Watford Palace Theatre from November 3-26. For
further information contact
www.watfordtheatre.co.uk.
GIG REVIEW
U2, Madison Square Garden, New York City
By Richard Purden
All around Republic of Ireland tops can be found as fans qualify their
Irish roots to each other. Opening with a song inspired by New York, City
of Blinding Lights gets the second leg of U2’s North American tour off to
a blistering start.
The sheer force of Vertigo and an amazing light show has this energetic
and passionate American audience on their feet and dancing in the aisles.
As The Edge launches his guitar with a barrage of sonic loops, riffs and
effects Bono looks on in amazement and asks the question: “Who is this man?”
We even get a burst of New York’s Ramones on Rockaway Beach. It’s great
to hear them play material that is now over 25 years old. The new wave burst
of I Will Follow and The Electric Co still have an innocence, freshness
and quality that continues to elude many young bands caught up in the hype
only to disappear.
Tonight U2 prove why they have survived those 25 years with a show that
pushes theatrical, political and religious boundaries while giving the fans
what they want.
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For retains its gospel feel and
would boost many a Catholic service; every member of the audience hoists
their hands high in celebration — you’d have to be spiritually dead not
to feel the buzz in this arena tonight. Beautiful Day follows in a similar
fashion and has become an essential rush of energy in the U2 set since their
back to basics 2000 offering All That You Can’t Leave Behind.
Being New York and the city being the aim of a terrorist threat during
the weekend Bono suggests the Big Apple is a target because of its multicultural
make-up. While the world outside has become a darker more edgy place this
U2 performance offers modern hymns of faith, possibility and survival. Pride
(In The Name Of Love), Where The Streets Have No Name, One, Bad and 40 sound
more pertinent in light of what is going on in the world outside. Entertainment
shows usually encourage you to forget about troubles, U2 encourage you to
think about them while moving forward with hope.
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