By Rose Barrett
Fair Dinkum Theatre presents the world premiere of “I poured the tea”, a comedic look at the Irish banking crisis – essentially, the Northsiders at the heart of the banking crisis! The production will run at Smock Alley commencing Monday (July 4) to Saturday (July 16).
Written by award-winning Australian playwright Nicholas Makin who has become an adopted Irish man, the play makes its full stage debut after a successful ‘original read’ to a public audience at the NEWvember 2019 Festival.
€16,150 per man, woman and child to bail out the banks. What did we do – could it get any more absurd than that? Apparently yes! This new absurdist play will look at the complexity of being a true Northsider when there are major social and economic factors at work during the Irish Banking Crisis.
Join ‘Seamus’ and ‘Boxer’ – employees of the catering company present at every significant event of the crisis – on their paid-for holiday in the tropics – until their island starts to feel a bit deserted and rather dangerous. Meanwhile, over in the Chairman’s office of an investment bank, Fitzsimons is feeling the heat and seeking to pass the buck, in this fast-moving comedy of the blame game and financial collapse.
With an existentially Irish humour, I poured the tea focuses on the camaraderie, relationships, resilience and depth of friendship of ordinary people as they struggle to survive extraordinary events not of their making. At times dark, always funny but ultimately optimistic. True friendship will win through – no matter the odds!
Directed by Casey Hallahan, with a cast of five stellar performers including Jason Gilroy, a true northside Dubliner from Bayside (near Sutton) who plays Seamus in the comedy. Jason is a prolific Irish actor both on stage, TV and film, known for his film and TV credits including: Fair City (Craig Birmingham), The Ambassador (BBC TV series), Ballykissangel (BBC TV series), Trojan Eddie (feature) where he worked alongside Stephen Rea, Brendan Gleeson and Richard Harris.
Matthew O’Donnell from Sligo is among the centre-stage players who plays Boxer, alongside Rory Knox (who plays Fitzsimons), a writer/performer/director-producer/designer who hails from Skerries and now resides in East Wall.
Knox obtained a BA in Theatre Studies from Queens University Belfast along with fellow Dub, Gerry Cannon from Blackrock who takes on Judge in the production. The highlight of 2021 for Gerry was winning the Best Actor Award at the Dublin International Short Film and Music Festival for his role in the short film Acheron. Finally, it’s Eoin O’Sullivan who completes the actor’s set in the role of Chairman.
Audience feedback describes the work as “Humour/excellent script – brought home to me again what took place and effect on Irish people”…. “I liked the positivity in the simple things. It felt real for the north-siders.”
Director: Casey Hallahan, sound design Nick Makin, set and costume design: Rory Knox, lighting design Éinne Ó Connachtáin and supported by Philip Lee Legal Services.
I poured the tea, to run at The Boys School at Smock Alley Theatre, from Monday (July 4) at 8pm until Saturday (July 16). Tickets €15, €9 concession NB no show on Thursday (July 7) Bookings at Smock Alley Office 01 677 0014 or see https://smockalley.com/i-poured-the-tea/ Fair Dinkum Theatre is a young company made up of experienced theatrically trained professionals with international experience.
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