Vixen – New Theatre – Review

Event Dates: 27/06/2023 – 01/07/2023
Duration: 60 mins

We meet Angie (Rose Henderson) as she has just returned home to her apartment. Today is the one-year anniversary of the death of her lover; Martin. It has been a difficult year for her, made worse by the fact that she couldn’t attend Martin’s funeral. While Angie was in love with Martin, she was a secret part of his life. Martin was married and Angie was his mistress, his ‘bit on the side’, and this is her story.

This is a one-woman piece with Rose Henderson taking the part of the ‘other woman’, Angie. Rose is a regular on Fair City and has worked on a variety of TV shows, even making an appearance as Sister Assumpta on Father Ted! This is a new piece written by Helen Casey. Helen has worked in theatre for many years, and is involved with “drama in education; creating and devising theatre in school and community settings”.

The set design (by Martin Cahill) gives us the sitting room of Angie’s apartment, complete with a sofa and various tables and chairs.  Often, in small venues such as this, the actor is left with a barren stage, but time and effort went into this set.

This is an interesting topic for a play and it is rare we get to hear this side of the story. It is also unusual how unrepentant Angie is, she doesn’t see herself as a homewrecker, nor is she consumed by guilt. The piece gives many good images and moments in their affair but doesn’t give us an insight into how the relationship started or evolved. It would give the production more depth if the character of Martin was developed further but he remains elusive. The script contains many moments in their relationship, such as weekends away and their time in her apartment, which are handled well. Rose Henderson is lively and vivacious on stage, keeping the audience entertained and on her side throughout. In the wrong hands, she may have lost the audience, but Angie feels like a warm and friendly character that would be difficult to dislike. The piece has an original slant and the performance of Rose Henderson gives the piece life.

Vixen crew
Written by Helen Casey
Directed by Caroline FitzGerald
Performed by Rose Henderson
Set Design by Martin Cahill
Sound Design by Neil Handly
Lighting Design by Cathy O’Carroll
Stage Management by Eva Walsh
Assistant Stage Management by Aidan Murtagh