Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire
Theatre O is an international touring company which approaches theatre in a collaborative way, with a style which combines music, words, dance and representation of a story rather than literal enactment. Their 3 Dark Tales, here for a very short run (it opened on Thursday for just three performances), illustrates and vindicates their approach.
Four actors create three characters in scenarios which overlap while remaining distinct. In the first, Mr Tibble is an office menial who starts each day demeaned and intimidated by his monster-wife, and spends the rest of it grovelling before his colleagues at work. He finally strikes a ferocious blow for freedom.
Amelia, born of upper-crust parents, has been compelled by them to do all the things she detests - school, college, job - and forbidden to pursue her one desire to be an opera singer. Her health deteriorates and time is running out.
Frank, a dynamic boss, is a failure at home in the eyes of his wife and children. He has an opportunity to break loose; but what does he make of it?
Four actors portray these and ancillary characters with astonishingly versatile skills. They dance, in styles which owe more to disco than ballet; shape their performances with brilliant mime; and speak in pidgin versions of Italian and English, a creative use of language rooted in sounds as much as in words. They are Joseph Alford (also director), Carolina Valdes, Lucien Lindsay McDougall and Sarah Coxon, and their talents shine.
Many companies aspire to be different and good but not many achieve it to this level. Theatre O should come for a longer stay.
Final performance today at 3pm; to book phone 01-2312929)