Review: Ferocity at the Mick Lally Theatre

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

After being warmly greeted at the Mick Lally Theatre by the fabulous members of Blue Teapot Theatre Company, we were met with the striking set by Ciarán Bagnall that made me feel like we were stepping into a B&B (or “Guest House,” as they like to call it) in the 1980s, a design that filled the width of the Mick Lally Theatre. Its clever, intricate layout of corners, doors, and varied heights kept the characters confined, almost claustrophobically, while giving plenty of playing space for Christian O'Reilly's newest play, Ferocity.

O'Reilly's writing is, in a word, spectacular. Cleverly constructed, each moment reveals itself slowly to the audience, keeping us guessing until the final scene. His characters are well thought out and relatable, with playful balances of power that carry both the humour and the hardship.

To be blunt, the themes in this show are heavy and could easily slip into the shock-value tropes that are becoming more common in both theatre and television. Not only was care taken in the writing of this show, but also in Andrew Flynn's direction. His character and world-building are evident from the very first minute, and with great pacing throughout, he steamrolls us to the final moments.

Flynn has assembled an incredible cast, who work very well together and individually. Marion O'Dwyer leads the cast with a layered and poised performance as Alice, supported by Aisling Kearns’ striking portrayal of Sally. Mark Lambert has an extremely difficult role as Roger, which he handles effortlessly.

Humour comes from Clelia Murphy, whose performance as Rose is perfectly pitched, and from Molly Logan as Cathy, who plays both wit and heartbreak with ease. My husband commented on Patrick Ryan: “I hate him... in a good way,” which shows how well Ryan portrays the irritating Jonathan while somehow still making him likeable.

The cast is rounded out by a very special performance from Ronan Harney, a 13-year-old from Ballinasloe who holds his own among the heavy hitters in this ensemble. His performance is controlled and heartbreaking. He clearly has a great career ahead of him.

You may have noticed that this review does not discuss the plot (this is to ensure it remains spoiler-free) but I left the Mick Lally Theatre rather speechless. For two hours, I felt completely enwrapped in this story, which is what great theatre is all about. I look forward to seeing where this show goes next.

Ticket Information for Ferocity:

Magic Pill Productions, in association with Town Hall Theatre and Decadent Theatre, presents Ferocity at the Mick Lally Theatre until the 15th of November. The show is currently sold out, but returns may become available before the run ends by visiting the theatre before the show. You can find out more information here.

Disclaimer: I was invited to see this show in exchange for an honest review. My review was not affected by this.