Isla – Dublin Theatre Festival – Review

VERDANT PRODUCTIONS, FOUR RIVERS AND THE CIVIC – Isla by Tim Price
28 Sep – 7 Oct – Civic Theatre

In this production, Mark Lambert plays Roger, a widower living alone. It is March 2020 and he is facing the isolation of the early days of the pandemic. His daughter Erin (Tina Kellegher), drops around a device to his home. It is a Smart Speaker that is similar in nature to an Amazon Alexa or Google Nest. Erin suggests it will help him to remember to take his tablets and other mundane tasks. Roger is initially sceptical about the device but after some initial trials, he realises how helpful it can be to his day-to-day life. After Erin leaves her father, he is alone with Isla, as they face the weeks and months of cocooning.

When you hear that a production features an AI device, you assume it will be similar in nature to films such as Her or Robot & Frank. Most are set in some far-off future, where the writer gets to explore the endless possibilities of Artificial intelligence and the impact it could have on our lives. This production is set in the present day and Isla is little different to the devices in many homes around Ireland. The only real difference is that Isla is more willing to let Roger expand upon his thoughts, going on flights of fancy and in different directions. As a theatrical device, it allows our protagonist to talk directly to the audience, and explain his innermost thoughts.

The play was written by Tim Price, and was first produced in 2021 at the Theatr Clwyd, Wales, directed by Tamara Harvey.  The unusual thing about this production is that it also starred Mark Lambert in the lead role of Roger. The play was also converted into a TV programme for BBC4, again starring Lambert. This is the third incarnation of the same story for Lambert and it is the Irish Premiere of the play. It is produced by Verdant Theatre Company, along with Four Rivers and the Civic Theatre.

This production has an impressive set by Florentina Burcea of a large open-plan kitchen and living room. It is the slightly dated space of an older man but is complete with a fitted kitchen and living area. There is considerable attention to detail with working kitchen appliances.

The play is broken into two acts by the interval and each part is quite different. In the initial stage, we see Roger dealing with the isolation of Covid. While the disease is hardly mentioned, we see how he passes his time in his house, bonding with Isla. This section is relatively sweet and gentle in nature. After the interval, there is a change in direction with a Black Mirror like twist. It discusses sexism and our right to privacy in our own homes.

AI is very much the hot topic of our time, with many writers focusing on it and how it will affect our lives. This production continues the discussion, while also exploring what it means to take these devices into our homes. It is a play with two distinct stories in each Act. The transition between the two is quite jarring but it does show two sides of Roger, the main character. Mark Lambert is impressive as Roger, showing warmth and humour, along with the flaws of this complex individual.

Directed by Davey Kelleher
Cast: Mark Lambert, Tina Kellegher, Sarah Madigan
Set Design: Florentina Burcea
Costume Design: Mae Leahy.