Everything Falls – Project Arts Centre – Review

Project Arts Centre, Dublin – 16th – 23rd Nov (No show Sun 17) | 7:30pm | 2:30pm Sat 23rd
Town Hall Theatre, Galway – 26 Nov| 8pm

Everything Falls by Brokentalkers & Shaun Dunne

At the start of this production, Shaun Dunne walks out on stage and talks directly to the audience. He explains he’s been thinking about ‘caring’; and what the word means. He works his way through the various definitions of the word and its use in language. At this point, we are slowly introduced to the rest of the cast, along with the band of four musicians lurking in darkness at the back of the stage. The piece then focuses on one story, as we hear of an individual played by Lauren Larkin who devoted her life to caring for her husband.

This is a new production by Brokentalkers and Shaun Dunne. Brokentalkers are known for works such as The Beach and The Blue Boy. Shaun Dunne has previously worked on productions such as Rapids and This Solution. Shaun Dunne and Brokentalkers have similar approaches and themes of social realism, so they are natural bedfellows.

The other element of this production is that it features music, with a four-piece band, with guitar, cello, violin and drums. Séan Millar is the Composer of the piece and has worked with Brokentalkers on several occasions previously with Silver Stars and The Circus Animal’s Desertion, among others. There are also elements of movement and dance, as the performers move to the music!

The stage is also impressive with a realistic interpretation of a modern, if slightly dated kitchen and a bedroom above. It’s a vision of domestic bliss, where we can see our main protagonist carry out her daily chores and routines. The play shows how difficult her life is, and we see the monotony of her existence, as she repeats the same actions and has the same conversations over and over again. It’s difficult to portray this on stage but the musical element lifts and breaks the potential tedium.

There is a warmth to the production, and also an appreciation of the work of carers. The text is quite repetitious, which was a conscious decision on the part of the makers, but as an audience member, your frustration builds with the protagonists. The music is a particular highlight, with the theme of the Woodies advert blended with Talking Heads and more. It’s a free-flowing affair for a collective that produces ‘formally ambitious’ work so you can expect the unexpected.  The most impressive element is the execution of the piece, holding all the various strands together into a coherent whole. It’s an ambitious and unorthodox work from this new collective.

Production Credits
Written & Created by: Feidlim Cannon, Gary Keegan & Shaun Dunne

Performed by: Lauren Larkin, Charlie Hogan, Daniel Fitzpatrick, Maud Lee, Bryan O’Connell, Kim Porcelli

Composer: Séan Millar
Movement Director: Eddie Kay
Set Design: Ger Clancy
Lighting Design: Dara Hoban
Costume Design: Sarah Foley
Creative Producer: Rachel Bergin
Vocal Coach: Cathal Quinn
Production Manager: Gavin Kennedy
Stage Manager: Grace Donnery
Line Producer: SJ Woods
Assistant Stage Manager: Méabh Crowe
Chief LX: Sarah Timmins
Production Assistant: Eabha Fitzpatrick