Michael has had a run of bad luck. He was made redundant from his job and is trying to adjust to life as a ‘stay at home’ father. It has started to get to him, and is affecting his confidence and his marriage. He refuses to go and meet a group of his wife’s friends at the local golf club, where they all have ‘a job and a handicap’. He meets Chris while picking his children up from their crèche and they form a friendship. Chris works as a night watchman and manages to get Michael a job in the same place. The two spend their nights discussing life on the roof top and trying to figure out what is important to them. Initially Michael’s wife Maeve is delighted with his transformation in luck and spirit, but after the initial glow wears off, she begins to worry about the influence Chris and his unorthodox views are having on her husband.

This is a sharp, well written piece, that focuses on what makes people truly happy, and the fact that this does not always meet with what is expected of them from society at large. The three actors perform well, although the role of the domineering wife Maeve lacks the sympathetic edge of the other characters. Chris plays the part of the sage, opening Michael’s eyes to the many different perspectives on life and often draws his analogies back to his first love, Manchester United! The friendship between the two men is often very tender and humorous.

The set is deceptively simple, with a raised platform and a number of screens making up a back wall.  This easily adjusts to create the two main settings of the couple’s sitting room and the roof top where the two friends and co-workers meet. The lighting of the panels is used to create different atmospheres, and the small amount of adaptable furniture is employed well.

This is a new play by Paul Meade, and it is always interesting to see new work on the stage. It is very much of our times, and explores the affects that redundancy can have on a man and his relationships. Don Wycherley deserves considerable praise for giving the complex character of Michael depth. . The play shows a journey for this man from a time of depression to many other places, not all of them good. It is an impressive piece of new writing that covers a wide spectrum of emotions and an ending that will last with you.

Jennifer O’Dea, Don Wycherly and Michael Glenn Murphy in ‘Faith’ by Paul Meade

“Who do you trust, when you can’t trust yourself”?

Guna Nua in association with the  Civic Theatre Present Faith.

Faith runs at the Civic Theatre, Tallaght until March 8th.

Nationwide Tour
3rd – 8th March: Civic Theatre, Tallaght BOOK TICKETS HERE
13th March: An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny BOOK TICKETS HERE
15th March: Mullingar Arts Centre, Westmeath BOOK TICKETS HERE
19th March: Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire BOOK TICKETS HERE
20th March: Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge BOOK TICKETS HERE
21st – 22nd March: axis, Ballymun BOOK TICKETS HERE
25th March: Roscommon Arts Centre BOOK TICKETS HERE
27th March: Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda BOOK TICKETS HERE
28th – 29th March: Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray BOOK TICKETS HERE

Review by Morgan