Dead Monks – Smock Alley – Review

Age Suitability: 16+
Warnings: Sexual references / Partial nudity

We meet three young monks, Kevin (Maria Cunningham), Dungal (Fiachra Corkery) and Offo (Jackson Ryan), who are dealing with the loss of the Abbot. He was a major influence in their lives, and now they are left searching for meaning. To add to the complexity, the Vikings are coming! With only enough space for one person in their Round Tower, they must decide who gets to hide while the others face off against the invading hordes!

This is a new work written and directed by Jamie Sykes, which takes a few liberties with historical accuracy. If you’re looking for an insight into the lives of monks in the medieval age, look elsewhere! This is a light-hearted romp that has more in common with The Life of Brian or South Park than it does with the history books on this bygone age. The other member of the cast, Jimmy Kavanagh, plays a variety of roles from Friedrich Nietzsche to Jesus, which gives you an insight that the play doesn’t remain in its medieval setting for very long. It’s a work with thoroughly modern language and ideas, with the monastery used as the starting point.

Writer and Director Jamie Sykes has created several similar works, such as Coffee Kid (which appeared in the Fringe Festival in 2022) and The Last Incel. He is also part of the Abbey Theatre’s New Wave scheme.

The work is extremely irreverent, with the Catholic Church being lampooned frequently. A surprising element is that the play is two hours long, including an interval. Generally, a work in this genre rarely lasts over an hour. As with any production with a young comedy crew, not all elements work. This is not a polished stone, but it does deliver many laughs and a few insights. The cast is well-drilled and very adaptable, showing impressive skills in comedy as well as some dance scenes.

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY Jamie Sykes
PRODUCER Muirenn Lyons
CAST Fiachra Corkery, Maria Cunningham, Jimmy Kavanagh and Jackson Ryan