Somewhere Else

Somewhere Else. The Players Theatre, Trinity College Dublin

 

Have you ever been searching for something else? Somewhere else? Maybe if one puts on a tie and finds success, has a family and a home then everything will come together. Or will the relentless need to keep searching, to be elsewhere, and always be in search of success keep going until the movement is all there is?

“I must leave this place. Find another. A different place altogether.” Gene has decided he can no longer stay. He can no longer be at home. Through the dreams, the rubbish, the cities, the worlds below and above. Gene will leave this place to find another. To find Somewhere Else. Or Else.”

The absurdity of modern life is brought to life in the dark confines of The Players Theatre, at Trinity College Dublin. Presented by Gorgeous Theatre Somewhere Else is a remarkable piece of new writing. They have created something different and interesting. There are few plays like this being put together at the moment which is a real shame.

We follow Gene on his search for Somewhere Else. At times the city lights are behind him, at others he is playing happy families before his house falls out of order. He is frequently accompanied on his journey by the character of Rubbish, played by Tonya Swayne. There are shades of Beckett and the theatre of the absurd in the styling and use of language. Their influences are apparent as shades of Jacques Lecoq and Commedia Dell’Arte shine through the production. This is something that could easily go wrong but the production has been bought together by the capable hands of writer and director Ciaran Treanor.

The physicality is the stand out of this production. Tanja Abazi, as Childish, and Emma Brennan, as Child, seem to have limitless energy. At first, they cut through the back of the stage. Introducing themselves by movement. As children they play duck, duck, goose and annoy their long – suffering parents with their constant energy and need for attention. They are able to tell a story and make the audience chuckle without words.

Noel Cahill as Gene commands the stage. He is the centre of attention for nearly the whole running time. His character, dressed in a suit and off to an interview may be unravelling. Will he have success? Or will the boundaries between real and unreal blur until they are no longer visible?

Saoirse Sine appears to be a vision in white. The woman at the bus stop, the movie star, the dream to catch hold off. A star falls to earth and she is living with Gene and their two children. Slowly she disintegrates. The story of her life is written on her face as she smiles at her family and yet seems to feel despair when alone with the audience. Does she have the same need as Gene to find somewhere else? If only they could find that place together.

There is a good use of music and sound throughout, particularly the recurring use of Ella Fitzgerald’s Dream A Little Dream Of Me, and the music is very effecting over the closing scenes.

Somewhere Else is far more than one would expect from a new play by a young theatre company and one looks forward to more work from them.

Runs Until 18th August 2018.

Presented by Gorgeous Theatre.

Writer and director: Ciaran Treanor.

Actors: Tanjs Abazi, Emma Brennan, Noel Cahill, Saoirse Siné, Tonya Swayne.