Reader Reviews
The Big Fellah (Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, Outer London)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | The review below is clearly for a different play. This one's a cracker of a play! Playwright Richard Bean takes a fresh look at ‘the troubles’ from a highly original perspective – an IRA (later Real IRA) cell in New York City. By starting just after Bloody Sunday and continuing through the Good Friday agreement to 09/11 some 30 years later and almost 10 years ago, he takes an objective historical perspective. The play examines the motivation of Irish Americans to provide both funds and more active support to the IRA, a combination of emotional attachment to their roots and a profound naivety brought into sharp focus when Islamic terrorism emerges. The loyalties evolve into betrayal, disillusionment and power games that become very ugly. What’s so clever is the way he really makes you think whilst you’re laughing uproariously. The crackling, sparkling dialogue is simply brilliant, and it’s delivered superbly by a fine ensemble. Max Stafford Clark’s direction is impeccable with not a moment wasted; what you get out of 100 minutes playing time makes you realise how much padding most plays have got. Often very funny, often dark, sometimes chilling but always thought-provoking. A deeply satisfying evening in the theatre. GO! - Gareth James | 23 Sep 10 |
| Only 2 stars as I felt what was on show was rubbish - sort of university drama department effort but, and it's a big but, it does have potential. There was too much of a Andy Nyman's irritating professor Goodman to start with and too few scary bits. However, it did make me think why someone else hasn't tried this idea before, The Woman In Black excepted. With a major rewrite, lots more scary bits, then I would not be surprised if a run in the West End would not be out of the question. Oh, and why the Jewish thing? That should be dropped for starters. But apart from that I wish them all good luck their original piece of theatre. - rds | 08 Apr 10 |
