By Rose Rushe
INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day falls next Saturday March 8 and typical of its versatile, busy calendar, Newcastle West Library is hosting two attractive events that are free of charge.
The main dish is by Call Back Theatre who toured with ‘Fred and Alice’ to Theatre at the Savoy and other stations with this original piece of Irish writing. The reliable John Sheehy (‘Set in Stone’) of this County Limerick company writes and directs the two hander in which Alice (Cora Fenton) and Fred (Ciaran Birmingham) have a gentle sort of connection in their sometimes ungentle world, informed by disability.
“Fred and Alice first met in the home. It wasn’t really a home but Fred always called it a home because that was where he lived, and if you are not living at home then where are you?
“It was love at first sight for Alice. Fred didn’t talk to her again for years but then eventually Fred got used to her and it was love at first sight for him too. From their days in care, to independent living, Fred and Alice negotiate the perils and pitfalls of love and life”.
Theirs is a story with a good heart and told through fine acting with credible ticks and a sweet enthusiasm for each other.
The 8.30pm play is precede by a visual art exhibition and reception at 8pm of ‘All Creatures Great and Small’. John Carey is the man behind this selection of Irish nature photography.
