The Humours of Bandon – Bewley’s Cafe Theatre – Tiger Dublin Fringe Review by Frank L

Dates Sep 14 @ 18:00 / Sep 15 @ 20:00 / Sep 17 @ 13:00 / Sep 18 @ 18:00 / Sep 19 @ 20:00 / Sep 22 @ 18:00 / Sep 24 @ 13:00 – Tickets €13
Duration 60 mins – Venue: Bewley’s Cafe Theatre @ Powerscourt

The Humours of Bandon written by Margaret McAuliffe

Margaret McAuliffe has not only written this insight into the world of Irish dancing championships but she dances her way through it as well. She is none other than “Annie O’Loughlin Harte” aspiring to be an Irish dancing champion. At the beginning Annie sits in a chair as an unseen family member almost tortures her; rollers are being pulled tight into her hair. The pain of them might even prevent her from sleeping! The event is to take place the following day in a Basketball stadium in Tallaght where a suitably officious female, barks out petty rules, to which there are no exceptions. Annie is determined to win but there are all sorts of obstacles: the bizarre marking system, cheating by other competitors, and of course her nerves. They bring into play the dilemma of whether or not to go for a pee which in turn raises a series of other issues. However she must stay focussed on winning as that is the name of the game.

Margaret McAuliffe is completely at home with the dancing.  She effortlessly moves around the stage. But it is her ability with her wry sense of humour to conduct telephone conversations, to haggle with the officials and to comment on the opposition which endears her.  At the same time she demonstrates what a tough world competitive Irish step dancing is and that it can be nasty. It is not for wimps.

Throughout her knowledge and affection for the world she portrays shines through and it was not surprising that at the end that she received a “Riverdance” like ovation.