Arsehammers & Bonfire Night – Bewleys’ Cafe Theatre at Powerscourt

November 16 – 28, 2015 – Time: 1pm (doors at 12.50pm)

Arsehammers and Bonfire Night – 2 short plays by Claire Dowie

Billed as one of two comedies, the title of Arsehammers, like the content of the play itself, comes from a child’s mishearing and misunderstanding of adult realities. Barely 10 minutes long, the play takes us into a young boy’s observation of his grandfather’s mental deterioration and the changes in family relationships and dynamics that it entails.

Cora Fenton plays the boy. Fenton has established a considerable and deserved reputation. However, from the off she has her work cut out for her, hampered perhaps by the play’s billing as a comedy. While it is entertaining and amusing at times, it soon becomes apparent where the endgame is – and it is far from comic. Ironically, perhaps, it is in that last minute or two, when the performer forgets that it is a ‘comic’ piece and reveals the poignant truth towards which everything has been heading, that she comes into her own. The problem perhaps lies in the need for clearer purpose in the writing, especially as the play is so short.

In Bonfire Night a daughter (dowdy, eccentric, part stereotype postmistress-librarian, all teeth, glasses and flapping tweedy charity shop clothes) is coming to terms with the loss of her mother through a botched hip operation and her own broken romance. Her life is further squeezed by the need to look after an ailing father. We have no problem believing such circumstances could readily lead to anger, frustration and resentment. However, in this case they lead us to a most unexpected, darker place. If the influence of writers like Martin McDonagh or even Conor MacPherson may be felt, that is meant as praise; the writing itself is skilful and there is a real imagination at work throughout. Even if a little more variation in vocal delivery and movement would have helped, this was still an energetic and engaging performance.

The duo, directed by John Sheehy, will go on tour early next year and will be well worth catching as they settle into the performance.