Here's
a review by Plugged
in:
This
is the latest production by Waterford youth arts, it’s a
‘boy meets girl’ story but told in a very unusual
way. It is a play about making a film told in an extremely comical
way. The play begins by all the cast storming the stage, leaving
the audience bewildered as to whether the play has begun. The
extremely angry and intimidating stage manger directs orders to
everyone involved in the movie to come up with a full story as
all they have is ‘boy meets girl’. An argument breaks
out as to which way the story should unfold with hilarious consequences!
The
cast of the movie bounce around ideas ranging from cheesy clichés
to completely off the rail plots but can never agree to which
direction to take the play.
One of these plots which they have filmed involves an artiste
approach of abstract dancing and the flashing up of the word ‘pain’
which I found to be hilarious. Another idea bounced around is
that of the father of the girl is an abusive alcoholic father
and during the discussions the father is shown upon the massive
screen, bearing a can of Dutch in one hand and a boxing glove
in the other, this left me crying with laughter!
There was an excellent use of film and choreography which really
added to the realism of the play.
There was a great cast in this play that really communicated well
in this production. An essential element for good comedy is body
language and great timing and this play oozed both! There was
a real sense that this was not actually a play but that I had
just stumbled upon a group of teenagers attempting to write a
film. It’s real credit to the ability of the cast that I
felt like this. The director Liam Meagher described the cast as
“a fantastically talented group of individuals…boisterous,
colourful, imaginative, outrageous….” These characteristics
that Liam mentions are all the characteristics that worked in
the casts’ favour, towards making this production a truly
enjoyable show.
It is great to see such young talented actors emerging from our
city. The great direction of Liam Meagher, a very successful director
which I have had they pleasure of working with, showed his ability
of inspiring confidence and enhancing acting ability in his actors.
As Aoife Barron reflected “Liam gave us the freedom to step
up and make the play our vision rather than the writers. He allowed
our characters and our strange sense of humour creep into the
play along with certain scenes we just had to do.” Robert
Browne also comments “He (Liam) possesses a unique quality
that separates him from other practitioners in the arts, in that
he is able to get the best from young people”
Waterford
Youth Arts must be credited with the great work they have done
over the years and this production does this Company a great justice.
I eagerly await the next instalment which Waterford Youth Arts
brings to Garter Lane. |