Halcion Days at The Smock Alley
Theatre, Dublin
Some time ago
I enjoyed a performance of Deirdre Kinahan’s play Halcion Days at The Smock
Alley Theatre. The production was directed by David Horan, Set and Costumes
were designed by Maree Kearns, Lighting Design by Kevin Smith.
The interior relationship between the audience and the performance area
at the Smock Alley Theatre dictates to some extent how the production can be
presented. However in this instance the neat evocative set did all that was
asked of it and the performance of the cast; Anita Reeves and Stephen Brennan in
conjunction with Kevin Smith’s lighting, extended the imagined environs of the
set in the minds of the audience in a visually appealing, effective and
economical presentation. The controlled pallet and tones of both Set and
Costume focused the audience’s attention on the delivery of the author’s words and
the performance of the cast. The collaboration between the very able cast of Anita
Reeves and Stephen Brennan and Director David Horan was very evident in the
strength of the performances, which were absorbingly convincing.
The dimly lit minimalist set is visible to the audience as they take
their seats and the performance opens with a subtle light change and the quiet
arrival shuffling arrival on stage of the male character.
The play is scripted to open in a room in a Nursing Home with a glass panelled
door to stage right which leads to an exterior garden space and pedestrian access
for visitors. Access to the interior space of the nursing home was suggested down
stage left by a step down onto a marked run of lino leading off stage. At
appropriate times the noise of a Tea Trolley were heard coming from this
direction. This allowed for the seamless, smooth unfolding of the play.
The translucent light structure, restrained tone and mono-chrominance of
the set, costumes and minimal set dressings gave a look to the production akin
to a slightly faded, utilitarian slightly clinical environment. This ambience was
supported and maintained by Kevin
Smith’s subtle and
unobtrusive lighting.
The translucent light
structure of Maree Kearns’ set would suggest that it was designed with a tour
of the smaller provincial theatres in mind. A neat piece of design.
Halcion Days was Produced by The Tall
Tales Theatre Company www.talltales.ie
Deirdre
Kinahan: http://ie.linkedin.com/pub/deirdre-kinahan/30/99b/8b5
Kevin Smith: http://www.kevinsmith.ie/
