by Rebecca Gilman
Irish Premiere
November 10-29, 2003
Project, Temple Bar Dublin
Loose End Studio, Civic Theatre,Tallaght
Teenager Lisa quits her broken home for a Bonnie and Clyde road-trip of crime with charismatic ex-con Clint. But the further she gets into their journey, the darker the crimes become and the deeper the consequences, in this tough, compassionate examination of morality, the line of love and sexual abuse, the effects of poverty in the justice system, and the value of a life.
Director Erin Murray
Cast
Lisa Vicky Burke
Angie Lynette Callaghan
Carl Daniel Costello
Jim/Hugh Alan Howley
Kelly Emily Kenny
Burrows/Guard Eoghan McLauglin
Steve Paul Nugent
Carol Maureen O’Connell
Clint Alan Walsh
Jeanette/Transcriber Deborah Wiseman
Crew
Stage Manager Paul Carton
Assistant Stage Manager Christopher Galvin
Set Design Niamh Redmond
Lighting Design Stephen Dodd
Technician Baz Nugent
Music Rob Grimes
Music Greg Hannon
Music Brian Wolohan
Poster Design Oisín O’Muircheartaigh
Production Manager Anna Olson [Nugent]
Funding Officer/Costumer Tara McKeever
Programme/Photography Charlie Kranz
Reviews
“…excellent production …superbly acted.” -RTE.ie
“..…a powerful drama about isolation, innocence and murder… exquisitely delivered….” – The Dubliner Magazine
“AboutFACE Theatre Company has perfectly honed the trap of circumstance. **** (Four Stars) – The Sunday Business Post
“…plays don’t come much tougher or more surprisingly compassionate… – The Irish Independent
“…The kind of play that AboutFACE company does well…The acting is strong and convincing…the heart of the production beats strongly… – The Irish Times
Click tabs below for additional review excerpts.
“Since 2002,
AboutFACE Theatre Company has premiered a diverse range of American plays on the Irish stage. Their latest offering,
The Glory of Living, apparently based on true life events, presents an unsettling look at human existence. Acts of exploitation and human depravity that stem from desperate situations, where poverty is most prevalent, permeates the narrative … in Gilman’s text there are no simple answers … in a moment imbued with much poignancy at the play’s end, Carl teaches Lisa to play a toy piano, given to her by her father …
The Glory of Living is a powerful, yet morally reprehensible play. It requires a fair degree of acting skill to capture the unpleasantness and conflicting emotions that are evident in the two main characters. Thankfully
Vicky Burke and
Alan Walsh are up to the task. The former brings the right degree of helpfulness and pity to the role, while also making the audience feel exasperated by her somewhat carefree and feckless attitude. Walsh exudes the necessary manipulative charm and brutality to create a most detestable individual.
Daniel Costello projects a commanding presence as the attorney, while
Paul Nugent’s portrayal of Steve, a witness for the prosecution, was imbued with much heartache and sorrow. The rest of the cast also performs admirably …
Erin Murray directs with much conviction … excellent production … superbly acted. ”
– RTE.ie
“…a powerful drama about isolation, innocence and murder… exquisitely delivered by the
AboutFACE Theatre Company.”
– The Dubliner Magazine
“This tale of doomed infatuation could be transposed onto any society. The drunken shouting could be from the house next door or the argument on the street on a Saturday night. This powerful production presents a portrait of what goes on behind the closed doors of a violent relationship. Lisa is a persistently childish character and her actions are thus forgivable.
Walsh, in contrast, is cold and forceful as the abrasive husband. Using the power in Gilman’s simple narrative and with
Erin Murray’s direction, the
AboutFACE Theatre Company has perfectly honed the trap of circumstance. **** (Four Stars)”
– The Sunday Business Post
“Receiving its Irish premiere, this acclaimed American drama presents a thought-provoking examination of the lives of Deep South trailer trash Clint and Lisa … the vehicle for a searing analysis of moral codes, sexual abuse, fear, love, poverty and the value of a life … tells the chilling yet moving story … plays don’t come much tougher or more surprisingly compassionate than this piece, presented here by
AboutFACE.”
– Irish Independent
“The kind of play that
AboutFACE Company does well … there is a grisly fascination about the events of the first half. Call it the Hannibal Lecter syndrome. But the play’s essential interest comes later, when the lawyer for the defence probes Lisa’s actions and motives … The acting is strong and convincing, with
Vicky Burke (Lisa) and
Alan Walsh (Clint) heading a number of cameo performances. Director
Erin Murray keeps her cast on target … the heart of the production beats strongly in this robust production.”
– The Irish Times
