Little Gem at the Civic Theatre, Tallaght

Little Gem returns to the Civic theatre and to say it is a crowd favourite is something of an understatement. Little Gem was originally performed in the 2008 Fringe Festival and went on to win the Best New Irish Writing award. It later went to the Edinburgh Festival, where it was the first Irish production to receive the prestigious Carol Tambor Award. Writer and director Elaine Murphy has gone on to work with the Abbey, and her second play Sush opened on the main stage in June of last year. This is another chance to see where it all began and this revival has lost none of its spark.

The cast includes a stalworth of the stage in the form of Anita Reeves along with Hilda Fay, who may be known to many as Tracey from Fair City. Young actress Kate Gilmore completes the small cast.

It is a hilarious and heart-warming play. The predominantly female audience laughed, cried and cheered their way through this excellent performance. Three generations of women tell their stories, in simple monologue style with lots of Dublin charm and strong language. Life is portrayed from cradle to grave. Amber the young party girl, who brings us through the steps leading to the arrival of baby Jamie. Her Mother Lorraine who has rebuilt her life after a marriage break-up bravely embraces life. Granny Kay tells of romance and marriage for over forty years to Little Gem, her husband. Wonderful acting and simple honesty of the writing, provides an excellent nights entertainment.

Little Gem runs at the Civic Theatre, Tallaght, from Nov 25th to 29th.
Presented by Breda Cashe
Actors: Anita Reeves, Hilda Fay, Kate Gilmore.
Written and Directed by Elaine Murphy
Review by Caroline Quinn