Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s ‘The Critic‘ was first performed in 1779 and deals with the literary and theatrical scene in London at the time. This new production by Rough Magic has transposed the events to Dublin, the place of Sheridan’s birth. The story has characters such as Mr. Puff, Sir Fretful Plagiary, and the critics Dangle and Sneer, so from their names alone you can tell that this is a satire, aimed purely to poke fun at the theatrical scene of the time. It holds true to the modern age surprisingly well, showing how little has changed in the intervening years.

The play opens in the Culture Box in Temple Bar, as we enter the drawing room of Mr. Dangle (Kelly) and his wife Mrs. Dangle (Methven). The scene is introduced by Peter Daly, who acts as narrator and also gives occasional footnotes on the time and the meaning of the words being spoken. Kelly and Methven are two stalwarts of Rough Magic, and deliver some quick witted banter to the audience seated around them. The arrival of various playwrights into the scene such as the Sir Fretful Plagiary (performed impressively by Rory Nolan) and  Mr. Puff works well, and their movement and interaction with the audience adds immediacy to the proceedings, that would have lacked in a typical stage performance.

The final Act is played out in the Ark, which is approximately 100 metres away. We are lead through the wild streets of Temple Bar on a Friday evening, by Peter Daly carrying a red umbrella. Once in the Ark, the piece becomes a ‘play within a play’, as Mr. Puff’s new work is performed by a variety of young actors who have taken certain liberties with the plot. The critics Dangle and Sneer and occasionally Mr. Puff are projected onto the back wall of the theatre, as they are on the balcony high above the stage and not visible from some vantage points. The performance of the play, lead by director Peter Daly is suitably mad cap, and the writer Mr. Puff battles with the various cast members to maintain order.

This is the first time I’ve seen Rough Magic perform a piece without the regular constraints of the stage, and while the early scene in the culture box is the more impressive of the two settings, they are both played with zeal. The main aim of this performance is to create a feeling that anything can happen, and that is certainly achieved. This is a lighthearted piece, that keeps you on your toes and has a large number of laughs along the way.

The Critic runs as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival until Oct 13th.

Cast:

Mr Dangle – Darragh Kelly

Mr Sneer – Ronan Leahy

Mrs. Dangle –  Eleanor Methven

Sir Fretful Plagiary – Rory Nolan

Mr Puff – Karl Sheils

Peter Daly – Director/ Guide

Students from the Gaiety School of Acting, DU Players and UCD Dramsoc.