It’s a Wonderful Bleedin’ Life – Smock Alley – Review

Dates: 11 – 23 Dec 2023

Christmas is a time to revisit old stories. ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, Frank Capra’s 1946 classic film, starring James Stewart will undoubtedly feature on some TV schedules, as its 1843 predecessor also pops up in various forms – ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens. Gary Duggan is the latest writer to re-interpret this iconic story of extra-terrestrial visitations to address overwhelming contemporary pressures. He does it well.

This play takes place in an impressively set pub near the Howth summit in 2007. This is problematic for the audience, on a number of levels, unless you read the programme.

Firstly, the defining dramatic backdrop is the property crash that bankrupted the country just over a decade ago. In 2007, Bertie Ahearn almost won a majority in the Dail, because he persuaded the electorate that the Celtic Tiger economy was alive and well. Therefore ‘Georgie’ and his circle, could not, at that time, have been so affected by the property crash, which was still on its way, but had not impacted in 2007 as told. 2011 is a more plausible timeline for the dramatic context.

James Donnelly’s excellent set needs something like a ‘New Year’s Eve party poster’ to indicate to us when and where the play is set. Donnelly’s design is a testimony to the emphasis Judder places on impressive production values. It is quality work.

Stephen Kelly (Georgie) is the last customer to leave the pub on Christmas Eve. He is determined this night will be his final journey, when Vincent Patrick’s mysterious ‘Lawrence’ – a ‘Dub’ with all the authenticity of ‘Old Mr Brennan’ appears, with a task to do enough to finally earn his wings.

Kelly gives a lovely, underplayed performance, drained of any hope, that allows Patrick to tease out the memories that could inspire a renewed optimism. There is a small, missed script opportunity to act on Lawrence’s suggestion to revisit the Credit Union and reverse a course of action, as ‘Georgie’ finally resolves, what his Christmas Eve journey will actually be.

Duggan’s script is poignant, gentle and warm. The playing is paced and engaging. The 55 minutes flow by on a slow and deliberate trajectory that makes ‘Lawrence’ work hard on the downbeat ‘Georgie’ for his desired outcome.

There is almost a false ending, only due to the timing of the final move. ‘Lawrence’ needs to be in situ to witness ‘Georgie’s exit, so he will know with certainty the fruits of his efforts to alter the course of the life of a decent man.

It takes a lot of work to have a wonderful bleedin’ life and clearly, writer Duggan, Director, Elebert and both performers are working hard to achieve just that, in this warm-hearted Dublin Christmas tale.

Produced by Judder Theatre Company
Written by Gary Duggan
Directed by Shaun Elebert
Starring Stephen Kelly as ‘Georgie’ and Vincent Patrick as ‘Lawrence’