2 December 2021

Play

Kevin Trainor and Daragh O’Malley ("Snuffy") in "Yes So I Said Yes"

The principal reason that Shirley and I were down in London was to see a play produced by our Ian's girlfriend - Sarah. The venue was The Finborough Theatre  - a small drama space above a pub in affluent west London.

The play had the curious title, "Yes So I Said Yes" and it was written by the Northern Irish playwright and actor - David Ireland. This is the first time it has had a run outside Northern Ireland. It is one of three plays that Ireland has written with regard to "The Troubles" - but located in the times that have followed The Good Friday Agreement of 1998.

The central character is Alan "Snuffy" Black who is described simply in the script as "a Protestant". But he is more than that. He was a paramilitary assassin and his mental state is unsteady to say the least. He is a tortured soul and there's something of Shakespeare's King Lear about him as he wrestles with his demons.

It is hard to say what the play is "about". It is not really telling a story and it doesn't contain any strong moral messages. In my opinion it is all rather absurd. I do not mean that in a dismissive way for absurdity can be extremely effective in theatre - take Samuel Becket's best known play as an example - "Nothing happens. Nobody comes. Nobody goes. It's awful..."  - Waiting for Godot

There are laugh out loud moments of comedy in the show which required a small but capable  ensemble of five actors and an actress. "The Guardian" gave it a four star rating and its visiting critic said this of it:

On the cramped patch of the Finborough stage, director Max Elton marshals a marvellous cast of six with the quick fluidity vital to farce. Go prepared to be appalled and challenged.

Given the controversial nature of this play, I was pleasantly surprised that Shirley came out of the drama space singing its praises. There's something really special about live theatre -  especially in small, intimate venues where there's really no hiding place.

Afterwards, we retreated with Sarah to "The Pembroke" on Old Brompton Road where we met up with our Ian who had been busy all day with "BOSH!" related matters and meetings.

13 comments:

  1. It sounds like an interesting play for discussion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is one way of putting it Margaret. Things happen in this play that I did not mention earlier - such as rape... but not of a woman.

      Delete
  2. As one who has "trod the boards" back in the day, I can say there is nothing like live theatre.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Which "boards" were they Catalyst? Scaffolding boards? You must have a head for heights... Only kidding.

      Delete
    2. Trod the boards is an old fashioned expression meaning to have acted on stage. But I bet you knew that.

      Delete
  3. We don't have to have a huge theater to have and enjoy a good play.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes the best things arrive in small packages.

      Delete
  4. Hmmm... not sure I would have enjoyed the play, but I would certainly have enjoyed the overall experience. As you say, live theatre, especially in such a small space, is really special, and requires the most in terms of acting skills and from the audience.
    So pleased to know you saw Ian, after all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As there are two rape scenes in the play, Shirley was apprehensive about seeing it. She is rather more prudish than I am. In the end she loved it and even laughed as one of the rapes was occurring. Neither rape involved the only actress.

      Delete
  5. It's pretty cool that you and Mrs. P. went to London to do something you probably never would have done in a million years if not for Ian and his lady. If nothing else, your world was expanded!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a "different" 24 hours for us.

      Delete
  6. Well it sounds like an intriguing play from your description and your comments above. I'm still not thrilled at the prospect of live theater but maybe I'll marshal my courage and check it out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A ticket only costs £20. They take your temperature, ask you to bring proof of vaccination and to wear a COVID mask throughout the performance. I felt very safe.

      Delete

Mr Pudding welcomes all genuine comments - even those with which he disagrees. However, puerile or abusive comments from anonymous contributors will continue to be given the short shrift they deserve. Any spam comments that get through Google/Blogger defences will also be quickly deleted.

Most Visits