The Last Man in Ireland – Smock Alley – Review

8 – 19 Apr 2025 – 7:30pm
19 Apr @ 2pm – Main Space

Age suitability: 16+
Warnings: Strong language / Violent Imagery

“For reasons currently unknown, rising sea levels have inexplicably affected Ireland and Ireland only, reducing the island to one small indistinct piece of land owned by one remaining Irish civilian.”

The play shows us a vision of Ireland in the future. The sea has risen and engulfed the country, and the only thing that remains is one small house. Its owner is Michael (Dan Monaghan), a failed poet trying to find his muse. He’s been struggling to write a poem for the woman he loves for many years. Michael has two brothers. The first is Gerry (Barry McKiernan), a man with many children and a drinking problem. His other brother, Barry (Ian Bermingham), is a successful theatre actor in New York. When his two brothers arrive at this door, Michael knows there must be something unusual afoot!

This is a play by Keith James Walker and is billed as a “surrealist three-hander”.  It was originally part of the Scene + Heard Festival and has now returned to Smock Alley.  It is a comedy and quite absurd in places, as we see visual gags, along with some fiesty wordplay. The setting for the play is Michael’s house, as we see his desk, kitchen table, a stove and various other odds and ends.

The three family members reminisce on times past and their difficult relationships with their parents. The siblings have not met in many years, so there is some catching up to do, but the burning question of why the brothers have arrived at Michael’s door remains, and the bizarre reason is slowly revealed over the course of the play.

It is rare to see a new comedy on stage, with most young writers focusing on drama. There are some hilarious moments in amongst this cavalcade of ideas and far-fetched metaphors. At the performance I attended, some were bemused, whereas others were doubled up with laughter. I suspect it will appeal to a younger audience, more in tune with its absurd sense of humour.

WRITTEN BY Keith James Walker
DIRECTED BY Ian Toner
LIGHTING DESIGN BY Eoin Lennon
SOUND DESIGN BY Daniel McKenna
CAST: Dan Monaghan, Barry McKiernan, Ian Bermingham