November 27, 2003
Stones in his Pockets
What makes a blockbuster movie? Likeable characters, romance, drama, triumph over adversity, a certain amount of tragedy and poignancy to manipulate the audience, and of course, an uplifting ending. Stone in his Pocket is a play (Town Hall Theatre, Galway, until tomorrow) about the making of such a movie, and the story of the play itself is that of a blockbuster movie. It's success is unquestionable - it has rolled across theatre land like a juggernaut, winning the applause and approval from audiences in Ireland, the West End and Broadway.
This play is about two extras on the set of a Far and Away-type movie being filmed in Kerry - they are both hoping that the movie business will save them from their current lives, and this job is the first step. The movie business symbolises escapism, glamour, achievement. Neither of them seem to notice that all the people they meet who do work in the movie business don't seem to be any happier than themselves.
Plenty of blockbuster movies can transcend a ropey script by virtue of a great cast or slick editing. I'm not suggesting that Stones…. has a poor story but it is not exceptional. Neither is the humour, of which there are lots, particularly original or subtle. No, what makes Stones a great night out is the cast. And despite a large number of characters in the play, they are all brought to life by just two actors. The choreography of jumping from one character to another is exemplary, fully creating the effect of movie editing and sustaining the illusion of the four main, interlocking stories.
The performances by Gavin Armstrong and Denis Foley are delivered with such gusto, that by the end of the play, the stories - of the two struggling extras, the scheming movie star, the harried assistant director and his simpering assistant, and the tragedy of another extra for whom all hope has disappeared, - are as fully realised as if we had been watching a cast of many. It is a great show.
Incidentally, we had dinner in Mcswiggins beforehand (which alas, we had to wolf down to make the start of the play), and the place was jammed. On a Tuesday night. Recession? What recession. Dinner was great, BTW.
Posted by Monasette at November 27, 2003 11:14 PM
I love that play. I went to see it in February,
something i'll never forget.