Tracer – International Bar – Review
by Brian Merriman

Produced by: Pop Up Theatre in Association with Directions Out Theatre Company
Written by Stewart Roche. Directed by Karen O’Connor & Joe Devlin
Venue: The International Bar Studio Space, 23 Wicklow St, Dublin

Dates: 1st Preview Wed 12th Aug. Runs: 13th, 14th, 15th; 19th, 20th, 21st;  Sun 23rd Matinee 2pm

Times are tough in theatre. Dublin once boasted more theatre seats than any other city in Europe per head of population. Not so any more. Venues like The International Bar in Wicklow Street survive, defying the challenges that have seen so many other small and essential performance venues vanish, especially in the city centre.

Gone are the purpose-built auditoriums, the bespoke lighting and sound rigs, the guaranteed audience of a well-established venue, commissioning venues, etc. Independent productions are the last warriors upholding the best in theatre values, so often the hallmark of theatre in a city with a fine legacy of artistic works.

The commitment of “Pop Up Theatre in Association with Directions Out Theatre Company” in presenting this revival of an Irish playwright’s work is palpable. Their courage is evident, and they deserve support in these last hot days of summer.

The 5.15pm start time is ideal if you can pop out of a city centre workplace a little early and want to immerse yourself in some culture, while avoiding the rush hour exodus from the city.

Every producer’s nightmare is a heatwave, and it really is tough to lure people indoors when the sun is shining.  Theatre seats are that rare product that can only be sold at a specific time and date. Once the curtain goes up, that’s it. Luckily, they had a full house!

This brave undertaking of a somewhat reimagined take on Stewart Roche’s regarded work of a decade ago bravely faces these additional obstacles in a time-conscious plot by Ireland’s first multi-ethnic Stanislavski ensemble.

Tracer tackles the dilemmas of those caught in a humdrum workplace in a time of limited economic options – 2014.

Roche returns us to a time of economic hardship where perhaps only hard-nosed corporate, cutthroat operators survived. The morality of making decisions in a time of bleak outlook underscores the contrived plot.

Directors Devlin and O’Connor maximised the scope of the small performance space. The opening night pace was impacted by the heat and the challenge to convincingly intimidate in such an intimate setting.

It’s a large cast, and each defined their role. Roche’s script turns from a rather benign, water cooler first part into a darker tale with a good dose of implausible melodrama.

Understudy Shauna Martin was seamless in her last-minute takeover of the role of Lauren. Johnny Elliot gave a fine, consistent, authentic interpretation of Campbell, the guy with an artistic dream, but jaded by decades of earning a living inputting data.

Clearly Roche had a lot of insight into the challenges of good artists in Ireland who also undertake work to pay the bills.

Gary Canton will share the morally vacant, thuggish role of Decker (with Fiona O Sullivan), an interesting combination that portrays the violent, sinister individual in both male and female forms.

There were huge demands on the ensemble on opening night, including the heat, and they performed cohesively and valiantly. Though the venue is small, some tended to lower their vocal levels at times. Roche’s script is already a little dated and requires an edge and a pace that can only progress as the confidence grows and the temperature reduces.

Doors 5pm. Show 5.15pm. Running time: 1 hour 25 mins
Tickets €15/€10 (concession). Booking: http://www.eventbrite.com
Starring: Hedda Kaphengst, Dovile Kraske, Hugh Cannon, Johnny Elliott, Mark Whelan, Adeyemi Edebiri, Vassia Mentekidou
Set Design: Martin Cahill; 
Music: Krzysztof Jarzyna; 
Sound: Diego Garrido; 
Technical Support: Jack Humphrys;