STANDING OVATION The crew of 'Patrick' on stage at Westport Town Hall Theatre.
Review
Tommy Morahan
'Patrick' is a tour de force. A tender rendition of ‘Ellis Island’, majestic dancing, an array of musical arrangements, a sea shanty, rebel rousing sean-nós, projected visuals and traditional American gospel all gel together to make this a must see show.
Through the ancient art of storytelling using the spoken word, Declan Askin navigates this wonderful multi-media production to achieve the goal – to entertain through music, dance, song, lighting, sound, written word and costume - about the story of Saint Patrick. This is a production that leaves the starring role to the story. An ensemble cast of brilliant musicians, writers, speakers, singers, and dancers bring the story forth. Anchored in the west of Ireland it is a modern interpretation using all means of communication to share the universal story of overcoming the odds and leaving a legacy that is remembered all over the world by millions.
Askin’s humour and wit in the narration is indication of the ease at which all the performers move around the stage – no egos here, simply brilliant performances to tell the story.
In the opening scene he asks what do we know of Patrick? Cast members on stage, sitting in partial darkness, let the focus lie on the story to be told. Haunting music is the backdrop to full size imagery projected on to the back wall of the stage showing the madness and hilarity of the modern Saint Patrick Day celebrations globally. This juxtaposition of the haunting music with the celebration imagery predicts that there is much more to this story than green beer and the greening of rivers.
Honest recollection
The story brings us through an honest recollection posing questions as well as giving many answers. ‘You couldn’t put a foot outside the door without stepping on a snake’ the narrator quipped. Not long after he was absorbed into a stellar performance of Brother Claude Ely’s ‘Ain’t no Grave’ – a tip of the hat to other religious persuasions and the universal appeal of Saint Patrick. He went on to say if there is one thing to take from the story is an appreciation of the unifying effect of the saint across religious and geographical divides.
A cameo Béibhinn Askin performance was beautifully placed. The story kept the limelight but the performance was endearing and demystifying. Dressed in contrasting pure white (the cast was mostly dressed in black), 15 years old and timid in stature, she transported us to the scene of the young Annie Moore arriving on Ellis Island, innocent, lonely, unsure and vulnerable – as she sang Ellis Island.
This performance rang so true and illuminated in a very real and tangible way the gravity of the situation of the 15-year-old Annie Moore arriving in the USA so many years ago (as the song says).
This is no cheap show. This is full of talent, honesty, humour, wit and yes a tinge of sadness. You will leave after being entertained and you’ll be glad you came.
Musicians for Patrick are Des Cafferkey, Declan Askin, and Bartholomew de Boer. Dancers are Liam Scanlon, Ela Kohen-Murray, Aaron Glancy and Ryan Owens. Singers are Declan and Béibhinn Askin. Costume and mask design by Elsie Higgins. Production design by Paul Dunning. And sound by James Biggs. It plays in the Town Hall Theatre in Westport for the remaining Mondays in July and August.
