Lizzie’s A Darlin’

This show is a bit of a dark horse – a little, locally written Irish, domestic drama, unpretentious and female dominated, but this show is a heavy hitter in terms of quality – a top notch production that deserves to be seen.

First played at the Irish Club, in an impressive production by Irish Theatre Players, this more fully realised production (in terms of set etc) allows the show to soar.

Peter Bloor and John Woolrych have designed an exquisitely careworn farm cottage, with furnishings and attention to detail that tell us much about this family living in rural Ireland in 1930. Fran Gordon has applied similar care to the costuming, with the ladies’ wrap around pinafores and the maids’ uniform looking like they’d been stolen from the genuine photos of the era in Elaine Morgan’s great foyer display.

The play begins in 1980 with a pregnant Emma (a vivacious Jessica Palokangas in a lovely community theatre debut) visiting her grandmother (a likeable Claire Hartley) for her anniversary. Emma’s gift of a framed photo of Nan’s wedding, sparks the question “Why does Grandpa look so shellshocked?” We journey back to the past for the answer.

Returning from a funeral we meet the newly widowed Kitty, her mother-in-law always referred to as “Mother’ and daughters Lizzie and Brigid. Under financial pressure, the focus soon turns to finding a job, or perhaps a husband for oldest daughter, the darlin’ Lizzie.

Kathleen Del Casale, much younger than the role she plays, anchors the show beautifully as Kitty – giving her warmth, affection, and a heavy sense of responsibility. Mary Carroll brings laughs as selfish, cantankerous, and highly pious Mother.

Sisters Lizzie and Brigid work beautifully together and are lovely contrasts in personality. Mary Del Casale gives us a Lizzie who is vibrant, confident, and self-aware. (She is also real-life sister to Kathleen who plays her mother, Kitty, and the two are thoroughly believable in this relationship). Megan Lilley’s Brigid has a slight stutter and is believably painfully shy and uncertain.

Completing the cast are Russell Chandler, gorgeously awkward as the unlikely love interest, Peader, and Rosemary Schultz, believable as friendly neighbour, Nora.

John Woolrych’s intelligent lighting on Ursula Kotara’s gorgeously painted backdrop creates some picturesque moments – with sound, including some lovely Irish folk music to put us in the mood, also provided by John Woolrych.

Well-acted, intelligently directed, with excellent aesthetics, Lizzie’s A Darlin’ tells an interesting story. Highly recommended.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Yvette Wall