by Stephen Belber
Irish Premiere
December 10-21, 2002
T@36, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin
In this taut, surprising, claustrophobic thriller of status, secrets and the dangers of memory, Jon, an aspiring filmmaker on the verge of hitting it big, reunites with his best friend from high school, Vince, a volunteer fireman who makes his money selling dope. Only Vince has a big question in mind this evening: did Jon date-rape Amy, a girl whom they both dated in high school? And not only that, he’s invited Amy to have dinner with them that night — and Vince is taping their whole conversation…
Director John Delaney
Cast
Jon Saltzman Paul Nugent
Amy Randall Anna (Olson) Nugent
Vince Alan Walsh
Crew
Stage Manager Lynn Darcy
Set & Lighting Design Martin Cahill
Publicity & Front of House Baz Nugent
Front of House Elaine Walsh
Lighting Technician John Reilly
Poster Design Oisín O’Muircheartaigh
Photographer (Publicity) Dara Clear
Programme Design Alan Walsh & Anna (Olson) Nugent
Reviews
“My one gripe is directed to the evening’s brevity, at some 75 minutes, and that only because I should like to have seen more; what is known as a good complaint.” – The Irish Times
“… it is gripping stuff, and well acted” – Sunday Tribune
“… a gem in terms of pace, characterisation, and constant shifts of status.” – Wow.ie
– The Irish Times
The claustrophobic current production TAPE sits perfectly there … TAPE is an intense one-act work … a densely-worded psychodrama of mutual accusations and denials …watching the two men bullying one another is an unpleasant experience where one is left constantly shifting one’s opinion which is the less unattractive of the two: Jon, with his self-righteous condescension, or Vince, with his slobbishness and arrogance. It is only with the entrance of Amy, the girl they both dated in high-school, that one’s sympathy is engaged … the web of lies, accusations, denials and entrapments becomes exponentially more tangled … it is gripping stuff, and well acted … New company AboutFACE and director John Delaney look like ones to watch out for.”
– Sunday Tribune
– Wow.ie