Da

Da
By Hugh Leonard. Irish Theatre Players. Directed by Denice Byrne. Leederville Sporting Club, WA. Jun 13-22, 2019

Perth’s Irish Theatre Players have relocated after many years, finding a new home in the next suburb. The premiere season in their new home kicked off with a quality production of Hugh Leonard’s family drama, Da, playing to full houses.

The new performance space, created from scratch, is a pop-up space in the function room of the Leederville Sporting Club, with raked seating and a small end stage. While foyer space is limited, this is a comfortable and pleasant new venue, and the Irish hospitality remains as warm and friendly as ever.

Rhi Walker has created simple but stylish set, and lighting and sound (John Spurling and Josie Hacking) help to differentiate between present day (1968), flashbacks and imagined events in this story, which takes place largely in the mind of central character Charlie, who has returned to Dublin for his father’s funeral.

Director Denice Byrne has assembled an impressive mix of Irish Theatre favourites and fresh newcomers for the eight member cast. Alan Kennedy is strong in the eccentric but likeable title role, working well with Michael Balmer, who is excellent in the catalyst role of son Charlie. Ben Albert is a wonderful match as the younger incarnation of the same role, with Marian Byrne convincingly completing the family as Ma.

In smaller roles Paul Taylor-Byrne nicely plays Charlie’s friend Oliver, both in youth and middle age, Sandi Buckley impresses in her brief appearance as Mary “The Yellow Peril”, Vee McGuire gives an efficient performance as Mrs Prynne and Joe Purcell nicely inhabits employer Mr. Drumm

There were some occasional over-long pauses, but this was a show that generally ran very well, and includes some stellar performances. The examination of family life includes universal themes, against some lovely Irish humour and detail.

A touching, well told story that is a fitting reboot for Irish Theatre Players, who deserve every success in their new venue.

Kimberley Shaw

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