EIGHTEEN months ago, Fishamble: The New Play Company toured to Kilmallock with a charming little show called ‘Swing’. Back then I reported on “doting audiences and critical acclaim” that had followed its trail.
Strewth. This dance based show has since shot to the sun and 5-star reviews from theatre heavyweights internationally – The New York Times, The Scotsman, Sunday Times, The Guardian.
Check out the feel-good vibes, music and dozens of characters at Belltable on Easter Saturday March 26 at 8pm, booking through venue manager at Belltable.
‘Swing’ is the ballroom of romance. Sometimes.
On first outing it was performed by two its four scriptwriters, Steve Blount and Janet Moran, with Peter Daly (director) and Gavin Kostick (Fishamble) on the creative team. The 2016 is radiant with a new force, Limerick’s Gene Rooney as May and the male lead Joe played by Arthur Riordan.
The vital, effervescent Gene Rooney, Corbally gal, has been working in Dublin these past 24 years. She has long knowledge of the preceding actors and underlines the sheer joy of this theatre piece and its makers.
“They have every moment of this play perfected and in a loose way, every moment – even the non-dancing part – is tightly choreographed.
“Arthur and I are heading into an intensive phase of rehearsal but for weeks we have been going to a drop-in Swing class in Dublin. I realise now from its dynamic how realistic the show is, so authentic in its representation of what goes on. All degrees of society are there and all levels of expertise”.
Gene outlines an abstract waltz that begins between his character, Joe and hers as May. He’s older and experienced, at least on the dance floor. She is tipping 40 and realises she has to get a push on. Each actor fleshes out the dance class with umpteen characters “and they are the craic, [the characters] are the greatest joy”.
“The story is so feel-good, the music and dance are feel-good and ‘Swing’ does not take the obvious path. Believe me, you will leave the theatre feeling the world is a much nicer place”.
What an upbeat gift for Easter.
