Becoming Maggie – The New Theatre – Review
by Frank L.

Becoming Maggie – Written by Donagh Humphreys
Event Dates: 15/08/2023 – 26/08/2023

In the programme, Humphreys states that “in 2023, the All-Ireland Drama Festival celebrated its 70th year”. He goes on to explain how important “Sive” in particular and the plays of John B. Keane, in general, have been to that festival and the cause of amateur theatre throughout Ireland. He concludes “This play serves as a tribute to amateur theatre and a homage to the enduring legacy of John B. Keane.”

The play begins in a non-descript space where Brendan arranges chairs in a semi-circle and places carefully on each chair a script. There is also a whiteboard with the name of the play “Big Maggie” and the parts which require to be filled. Brendan (Jed Murray) by day is a life coach and is the director of the new production of “Big Maggie” by John B. Keane which is to be performed by his local amateur drama group. An early arrival to the reading is Shane (Fiach Kunz) who has had some, but not much, professional employment as an actor and is keen to be involved. Brendan’s wife Jen (Eva-Jane Gaffney) arrives and the eventual upshot of the reading is that Shane is cast as Teddy Heelin and Jen as Big Maggie. It is a role she does not want primarily as she considers herself to be far too young to play the role, a fact which Brendan chooses to belittle. The relationship between Brendan and Jen is not good but Brendan is too conceited and self-satisfied to grasp. Humphreys then takes a scene in the text between Maggie and Teddy which they rehearse. It is a play within a play and becomes pivotal to the relationships between Jen, Frank and Brendan.

The text gives Jen a great deal of material to expose Brendan’s smugness and lack of self-awareness, notwithstanding his career as a life coach. Shane is an outsider but is an effective catalyst in highlighting the inadequacy of the relationship between Jen and Brendan. The text requires that all three actors have excellent timing so that the comedy can shine through. This all three achieved in spades as often the audience was convulsed in laughter. Martin Cahill’s set was, for the final scene, transformed by the clever use of large doors to a set for the play “Big Maggie” which nicely paid homage to an amateur production. And so, the play “Big Maggie” intertwines itself with the lives of Jen, Frank and Brendan.

This is a clever, witty and funny play and the three actors create a splendid insight into the pleasures and foibles of amateur theatre and the intrigues that go into a play’s production. It certainly succeeds as a tribute to amateur theatre and as a homage to John B. Keane. So all those involved may take a big bow on that front and another bow for a most entertaining night out at the professional theatre.

Cast & Crew:

Cast – Eva – Jane Gaffney, Jed Murray & Fiach Kunz
Writer – Donagh Humphreys
Director – Andy Crook

Stage Manager – Eva Walsh

Set Design – Martin Cahill
Lighting Design – Matt McGowan
Costume Design – Toni Bailey

Marketing & socials – Lisa Nally
Producer for The New Theatre – Anthony Fox