Life Without Toast - Sibling Rivalry

Myself, Nikki, my cousin Juno and her fella Eoghan all went to see Druid Theatre Company's production of John B Keane's "The Year Of The Hiker" last night. Despite working in a theatre every day (and sometimes every day), I hardly ever really properly "go" to the theatre, except when I feel I really shouldn't miss a particulat show. I sit in some nights on the show that's on where I work, but that's not really the same as really properly going to see a show. The last time I went to a show was "Stones In His Pockets" by Marie Jones over a year ago, and the time before that was "The Lieutenant Of Inishmore" by Martin McDonagh, nearly three years ago!

Anyway. Druid's production of "Hiker" was absolutely immaculate. Having worked on getting the show in I may have garnered more of an appreciation for what went into the production, from the enormous set to the multi-projector set-up for the backgrounds, to the lighting, sound, wardrobe and scene-changes, but nothing prepared me for the acting. Mick Lally, Nick Lee, Garrett Lombard, Eleanor Methven, Aaron Monaghan, Sarah Greene and Catherine Walsh are all incredibly good actors in their own right, but under the direction of the legendary Garry Hynes their performances meld with a richness that draws you in and allows the story to wash over you in a way that is quite breathtaking. Several times during the show I myself found myself holding my breath in anticipation of what might come next, and could sense tremendous trepidation from other punters around me. It is rare that a piece of theatre can draw such a reaction from such a mixed audience of everyone from teenage girls to octogenarians.

The production is nearing the end of it's tour of Ireland, and if you can, go and see it, you will not be disappointed.