Small Plastic Wars at Civic Theatre Tallaght – Review by P. McGovern

This is a lot more than a one-man show about a plastic-model nerd pursuing his fixation with WW ll models and his attempt to win national competitions. While taking us deep into that world of armaments and anoraks, Pat McGrath who has written and performs this piece, comments on matters social, economic and political, on what many people have gone through in the past seven or eight years.  However, this is done with lightest of touches; the piece is mercifully free of laboured messages and predictable “engagement”. Instead we are drawn into a world of the enthusiastic hobbyist, a near obsessive who, finally, retains too great a sense of priorities to see his family relationships derailed by the pursuit of perfect models and national awards. At the heart of the play, I think, is McGrath’s admiration for the resilience of ordinary people. Seamus Heaney’s “Keeping Going” keeps coming to mind – even if the settings of play and poem could hardly be more different.

McGrath brings to life a whole array of believable characters, from his wife and children to the model-shop owner to the rival lads in the modelling club and even Hermann/Brian who isn’t really a Waffen SS enthusiast and actually works in IKEA.  There is an honesty, a sense of integrity and commitment in the performance that communicates readily across the footlights and leads to a thoroughly enjoyable 70 mins theatre. Directed by Alan King, the play finishes at the Civic Theatre tonight (September 26).

DATE & TIME:
Friday, 25th – Saturday, 26th September 2015 // 8:15pm
LOCATION:
Loose End Studio
ADMISSION:
€16 & €12 concession

Presented by Bigger Picture Projects
Written and performed by Pat McGrath
Directed by Alan King
Produced by Tom Dowling