2 Short 2 Tiny - One Act Season 2025

Irish Theatre Players One Act Season consisted of four short Irish two-handers, with two directors. Performing for the first time at Wembley Community Hall, after the loss of their long-term venue, the plays shared a stage manager Grainne Friel and a Lighting and Sound Coordinator Fiona Reid.

Grainne also coordinated the sets, props and costumes.

The standard introduction and safety announcement delivered by Marion Byrne morphs into the evening’s first play, Safety Announcement by Joseph O’Connor, directed by Caroline McDonnell. A pacy 10-minute play sees the Announcer interrupted by a Bailiff, determined to collect on a loan. A great little surprise of a show, Marian Byrne was strong as the indignant announcer with Shivas Lindsay (who shared the role with Adrian Mills) officious as her adversary. Simple and effective.

The second play, Stop/Over by Gary Duggan, was a challenging play directed by Denice Byrne. With a dozen or so scenes, most requiring scene changes, it was difficult to maintain flow, and the action on the play didn’t always match the narration. Máire McSorley nicely played her first lead role, as the female character, named simply ‘F’, while Dónal Fahy made a promising stage debut as ‘M’.

After interval we were treated to the fifteen-minute piece A Deal Made in Drimnagh by Sean McLoughlin, directed by Denice Byrne. A vignette in the life of a couple expecting a baby, this was a simple and sweet little play. Megan Lilley played Paula with flair, working with good rapport with Nathan Holland who gave authenticity to Tony.

The final play of the evening was particularly strong. Directed by Caroline McDonnell, Salad Day by Dierdre Kinahan is a bitter-sweet two-hander set in an aged care home. Beautiful performances from Susan Lynch as Patricia, frustrated and determined to escape and Neale Paterson as Sean, whose memory is fading. Fabulous to see such strong acting and precise direction.

Wonderful to see the Irish Theatre Players flourishing in adversity and exploring a new venue.

Kimberley Shaw