New Theater Corps Review
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
FRIGID Theater Festival: The Giant’s Causeways
Reviewed by Amanda Halkiotis
A potato gun, a bottle of Jameson, and an opening-scene rendition of “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” would in lesser hands be a formula for disaster on any stage, inviting ethnocentric overkill and exaggerated nostalgia for one’s homeland. Lucky for Nora Sun McLaughlin (and her audience), her new play The Giant’s Causeways is excellently balanced. Bringing together politics, humor, history and brotherhood, McLaughlin wraps these themes tightly around each other to create an earnest and straightforward framework for her characters. This works exceptionally well considering the turbulent backdrop of Belfast circa 1969-1971. Good for a laugh, working-class, and Catholic, Conall (Thomas Hodgskin) is determined “no matter what happens” not to let current events divide him and his best friend who just happens to be Protestant, the practical, buttoned-up Seamus (James Fauvell). As blood gets shed and family members murdered, this innocent pact becomes harder to uphold than either expected. Things get heated and personal once the British Army starts entering the city limits, and suddenly all bets are off. These two boys, who once only ever argued over their conflicting taste in famous actresses, now begin attacking each other on every standpoint. Conall’s suggestion to go away on holiday together sparks suspicion of anarchist political affiliations from Seamus, who chides Conall that “the IRA stands for I Ran Away.” Meanwhile Seamus, with a widowed mother and several younger sisters on his hands, feels forced to join the Loyalist army, the United Volunteer Force, against Conall’s concerned pleading. Inspired by an anecdote she once heard her father tell about a return trip home he took during “the Troubles”, McLaughlin pulls her weight as a true Irish storyteller whose narrative style of vivid imagery and upbeat humor makes this play feel more like fluid prose at times. A jarring history lesson as much as an account of the tender loss of innocence, Giant’s Causeways is the marking of great theater: it invites you into a world you may not have experienced otherwise, and changes the way you once may have viewed it.
Posted by Amanda Halkiotis at 3/11/2009 12:03:00 AM
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
NY Theatre Review
NY Theatre Review
The Giant's Causeways
reviewed by Ivanna Cullinan
Mar 1, 2009
Set in a Belfast torn by sectarian violence, The Giant's Causeways is a fine production of a promising young writer's work. Nora Sun McLaughlin tells the story of a friendship destroyed by Catholic and Protestant aggression with energy, integrity, and a compelling humanity. Conall and Seamus are friends from boyhood, and the bonds of that friendship are severely tested by the rising violence in Belfast during the late 1960s. They begin as lads out on a lark that conveys the core of each one's character immediately. As events move faster than they can finish growing up, and bombs are thrown, family and friends die; both are forced to respond to their world in their own way.
This tightly written two-hander is clearly staged by Jill Harrison and acted with deep commitment by James Fauvell (who finds the humanity in what could be a thankless, slightly limited and cold part) and Thomas Hodgskin (whose engaging charm makes it all the harder to question his choices). The scenes and quotations are woven together with great specificity and skill, making what is overall a concise and effective piece. Although the physical transitions could be both simpler and a bit tighter, this group has the well-delivered talent to keep the audience engaged throughout and make me forgive the leprechaun. Yes, there is an unseen leprechaun in a significant early portion of the story and he contributes nothing at all to the overall piece. It is the one supernatural element in an otherwise straightforward narrative, but the production is interesting enough that it almost does not matter.
The Giant's Causeways is a production of great merit and well worth seeing.
Written/created by: Nora S. McLaughlin
Directed by Jill Harrison
The Giant's Causeways
reviewed by Ivanna Cullinan
Mar 1, 2009
Set in a Belfast torn by sectarian violence, The Giant's Causeways is a fine production of a promising young writer's work. Nora Sun McLaughlin tells the story of a friendship destroyed by Catholic and Protestant aggression with energy, integrity, and a compelling humanity. Conall and Seamus are friends from boyhood, and the bonds of that friendship are severely tested by the rising violence in Belfast during the late 1960s. They begin as lads out on a lark that conveys the core of each one's character immediately. As events move faster than they can finish growing up, and bombs are thrown, family and friends die; both are forced to respond to their world in their own way.
This tightly written two-hander is clearly staged by Jill Harrison and acted with deep commitment by James Fauvell (who finds the humanity in what could be a thankless, slightly limited and cold part) and Thomas Hodgskin (whose engaging charm makes it all the harder to question his choices). The scenes and quotations are woven together with great specificity and skill, making what is overall a concise and effective piece. Although the physical transitions could be both simpler and a bit tighter, this group has the well-delivered talent to keep the audience engaged throughout and make me forgive the leprechaun. Yes, there is an unseen leprechaun in a significant early portion of the story and he contributes nothing at all to the overall piece. It is the one supernatural element in an otherwise straightforward narrative, but the production is interesting enough that it almost does not matter.
The Giant's Causeways is a production of great merit and well worth seeing.
Written/created by: Nora S. McLaughlin
Directed by Jill Harrison
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Audience Choice Award
Don't forget to fill out an Audience Choice Award form after you see a show, and to vote for your favorite local shows for the Innovative Theater Awards.
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
FRIGID New York 2009 Audience Choice
By filling out this form, you are casting your vote for the FRIGID New York 2009 Audience Choice Awards. Feel free to rate every show you've seen in this year's festival; winner will be determined by highest average rating. Your show reviews may be posted to our website, so be thoughtful! Questions NOT marked with an asterix are optional and will help us to learn more about our audience in preparing for next year's festival.
After seeing the show - help continue to show your support by clicking on the link above and casting your vote for The Giant's Causeways.
Also, please help support the festival by checking out the other 29 participants in FRIGID New York 2009.
Here is what people are saying so far. Thank you for everyone that voted!
Audience Choice Awards * The Giant's Causeways
Star Rating * audience Comment * Audience Member
-------------------------------------------------------------------
5 * An excellent work, production and performance. * Chris DeHoust
5 * extraordinary!!!!!!! * lynne cresitello
5 * Well performed with limited resources * Priya
5 * Very good * Jeremy
5 * it was pertty awesome! * Madelaine Sandoval
5 * EXCELLENT * ELLIN RIND
5 * WONDERFUL * JAMES F FAUVELL
4 * Well written. * Mary Zehnter
5 * excellent * Michael Sun
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
FRIGID New York 2009 Audience Choice
By filling out this form, you are casting your vote for the FRIGID New York 2009 Audience Choice Awards. Feel free to rate every show you've seen in this year's festival; winner will be determined by highest average rating. Your show reviews may be posted to our website, so be thoughtful! Questions NOT marked with an asterix are optional and will help us to learn more about our audience in preparing for next year's festival.
After seeing the show - help continue to show your support by clicking on the link above and casting your vote for The Giant's Causeways.
Also, please help support the festival by checking out the other 29 participants in FRIGID New York 2009.
Here is what people are saying so far. Thank you for everyone that voted!
Audience Choice Awards * The Giant's Causeways
Star Rating * audience Comment * Audience Member
-------------------------------------------------------------------
5 * An excellent work, production and performance. * Chris DeHoust
5 * extraordinary!!!!!!! * lynne cresitello
5 * Well performed with limited resources * Priya
5 * Very good * Jeremy
5 * it was pertty awesome! * Madelaine Sandoval
5 * EXCELLENT * ELLIN RIND
5 * WONDERFUL * JAMES F FAUVELL
4 * Well written. * Mary Zehnter
5 * excellent * Michael Sun
All Five Shows Sold out
Thank you for everyone's very generous and continued support. The Giant's Causeways has sold out all five performances.
Please be on time to the performance, space is limited, seating is general admission - first come, first serve, and there will be no late seating, and most importantly, enjoy the show!
We all at The Giant's Causeways thank you and look forward to seeing you at the performances. Join us after at our various locally sponsored pubs and restaurants.
Please be on time to the performance, space is limited, seating is general admission - first come, first serve, and there will be no late seating, and most importantly, enjoy the show!
We all at The Giant's Causeways thank you and look forward to seeing you at the performances. Join us after at our various locally sponsored pubs and restaurants.
Sunday March 8 - SOLD OUT
Thank you so much to everyone coming on Sunday, March 8.
I am happy to announce that we are now sold out of that performance.
I am happy to announce that we are now sold out of that performance.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Wednesday March 4 - Sold Out
Thank you to everyone coming Wednesday night.
I am happy to announce that we are sold out of Wednesday night's show.
I am happy to announce that we are sold out of Wednesday night's show.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Friday February 27 - Sold Out
I'm happy to announce that Opening Night is sold out.
Thank you to everyone that is coming and supporting the Opening Night show.
Seating is very limited - purchase tickets HERE
Thank you to everyone that is coming and supporting the Opening Night show.
Seating is very limited - purchase tickets HERE
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Saturday March 1 - Sold Out
Great news. Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 8:30pm is now sold out. Thank you to everyone that is coming.
Purchase tickets online HERE
A note from the generous hard working people at the festival -
February 25 - March 8, 2009
FRIGID New York 2009 is almost upon us and things are looking great this year! We have already surpassed last year's ticket pre-sales by a signfigant margin. In a year gripped by recession, FRIGID New York 2009 is well on its way to breaking its own box office records. As of this morning The Giant's Causeways has already sold out one of their performances, congratulations. We are all very excited for opening night, and can't wait to see you all there!
Sunday, March 1st is our official opening weekend party, FREE BEER, FREE food, and a whole lot of really cool theatre artists. DJ Joey Nova returns to the Kraine - It all starts at 10pm! You can only get into the party if you have a fesitval pass, but have no fear, our $30 THREE SHOW PASS (THE BLT) gets you in to 3 FRIGID shows in addition to the fiesta! That is WAY less than the price of just one ticket to a Broadway show, even at the TDF booth.
Do not miss FRIGID this year! Bring friends, bring neighbors, bring strangers off the street and enjoy the shows.
Purchase tickets online HERE
A note from the generous hard working people at the festival -
February 25 - March 8, 2009
FRIGID New York 2009 is almost upon us and things are looking great this year! We have already surpassed last year's ticket pre-sales by a signfigant margin. In a year gripped by recession, FRIGID New York 2009 is well on its way to breaking its own box office records. As of this morning The Giant's Causeways has already sold out one of their performances, congratulations. We are all very excited for opening night, and can't wait to see you all there!
Sunday, March 1st is our official opening weekend party, FREE BEER, FREE food, and a whole lot of really cool theatre artists. DJ Joey Nova returns to the Kraine - It all starts at 10pm! You can only get into the party if you have a fesitval pass, but have no fear, our $30 THREE SHOW PASS (THE BLT) gets you in to 3 FRIGID shows in addition to the fiesta! That is WAY less than the price of just one ticket to a Broadway show, even at the TDF booth.
Do not miss FRIGID this year! Bring friends, bring neighbors, bring strangers off the street and enjoy the shows.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Ticket Purchasing
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