Real Life – Project Arts Centre – Review
by Frank L

Theatre / 27-29 June 2024
Real Life – Written and Directed by Aisling Byrne and co-created with the Run of the Mill Company

This is a theatrical experience with a difference. The programme states that the producer “Run of the Mill” is “a multi-award winning inclusive arts organisation committed to creating a platform for the stories, artistic expressions and talents of intellectually disabled people in the arts in Ireland”. The artists who created this show were asked according to the programme note  “… what would you do on the platform of the stage if there were no limitations?” The responses were rich, profound, unexpected and also deeply influenced by the ensemble’s own cultural influences – from soap opera to reality television to cinema and everything in between.”  The programme note states succinctly “Expect unapologetically unique theatre.”

The stark, sophisticated set consists of a floor-to-ceiling shimmering curtain with a large video screen and a set of drums. There are several reconfigurations with a modern, rectangular grey leather sofa and a chic bar counter at different times introduced but the ambience remains one of cool sophistication.

That ambience stands in stark contrast to the world into which the ensemble brings us. As one Derek is name-checked on the video screen at the start, one must mention the arrival of Derek (Derek McSweeney) on stage in a little girl, party frock with a bow in his splendid wig of dyed straight hair. But this is no Shirley Temple wannabe, this is a woman of some considerable attitude. Derek had the entire audience clapping along to his/her dance routine in no time. But then Derek’s attitude changed and Derek said stubbornly that he/she did not want to do the show. Derek went into a first-rate strop and in this mood reminded me of Miss Piggy of the Muppets’ fame in all her glory. Derek was adamant that he/she would not do the show and so the show had to be reconfigured so that the other artists could show their talents.  It was a wonderful coup de theatre and Derek vacillated on the gender boundary with aplomb.

The company then brought us into the varied worlds of the television interview, the dance routine, a bar filled with gangsters and much else before ending up with the company in a nightclub. It was, as the programme note forecast, a unique theatrical experience. The video screen is used to good effect to show some of the inspirational material which underlay what is happening on stage. Lauren Larkin and Fionnuala Gygax, the two professional actors who weave in and out of the action, provided unobtrusive support to their thirteen colleagues. Aisling Byrne as writer and director and Killian Coyle, the creative producer, conjured from the entire ensemble “such stuff as dreams are made on” to quote the Bard. The audience was enchanted.

Featuring & Co-Created by

Eoghan Ashe, Conor Begley, Neil Coffey, Maurice Coll, Lucy Smith, John Egan, Wesley Fairbrother, Teresa Flood, Keith Foley, Derek McSweeney, Ella-Jane Moore, Jackie O’Hagan, Mark Smith, Lauren Larkin & Fionnuala Gygax.

Writer & Director Aisling Byrne
Associate Director & Co Creator Sinéad Dunne Finnegan
Assistant Facilitator Naomi Kidney
Company Manager Rema Hamid
Creative Producer Killian Coyle
Set & Costume Design Ellen Kirk
Lighting Design Suzie Cummins
Sound Design Jenny O’Malley
Film Design Kilian Waters & Dan Keane (Arcade Film)
Movement Director & Co-Creator Enda Moran
Dramaturg Shane O’Reilly
Production Manager Eoin Hannaway
Stage Manager Laura Murphy
ASMs Maeve Smyth & Iain Synnott
Chief LX & Op Archer Bradshaw
Sound Engineer Eoin Murphy
Av Tech Eoin Robinson
Chaperones Mary Squires & Evelyn Carey
PR Jenny Sharif
Graphic Design Sarah Moloney
Promo Photography & Videography Pato Cassinoni