The Boys – Smock Alley – Mon 16th – Sat 28th November @ 8pm in The Boys’ School

The boys tells the story of four school friends, each on the cusp of adult life and trying to find their place in the world. Set in the north side of Dublin in the late 1960s, the play deals with the simple aspirations of teenage boys, namely their attempts to meet girls! They are four very different characters and are an unlikely set of friends. They are just about to sit their Inter cert and have the weight of expectation on their shoulders.

The set is extremely simple, with a collection of boxes for the four actors to create the world of the boys. The cast members do not leave the stage for the duration of the play, often hiding behind the boxes when they are not required on set. They are all dressed in black t-shirt and jeans, but use hats, wigs and other devices to quickly change into other characters. The play is often at its best when the cast are playing the parents, grand parents, teachers, priests, young women and neighbours that make up their world. The cast move quickly between parts and there is a fluid feel to the production, like a collection of short sketches or ideas. The cast narrate the scenes talking directly to the audience, allowing the plot to jump between settings.

One of the more surprising things about this play is how small a part religion plays in the lives of these Dubliners. There is no over powering shadow of the church on their movements, and while it does get a mention, it is not a major player. The play deals with the simple pleasures in life and there is a warm glow to the proceedings, despite the often tragic events. It has a rose tinted view of the past and of those difficult teenage years. This is a great play for the young cast and it allows them to prove their ability, working through the variety of characters. It is mainly played for laughs and the pace is unrelenting, with the actors rarely getting a moment’s rest. There is an impressive cohesion amongst the group and it would be difficult to single one out for praise, as each has their moments. It’s a play mainly memorable for the performances, with the energy and vitality of the young cast at the core of the production.

Written by Michael Harnett
Directed by Patrick Sutton

Cast –
Hackett – Killian Coyle
Brennan – Shane O’Regan
Scout – Brendan Quinn
Fay – Conor Quinlan