Fishamble: The New Play Company presents: Origin I st Irish Festival
"KING" at 59E59
Written and Performed byPat Kinevane
In a dim and shadowy room appears a mesmerizing figure who is totally absorbed doing Tango and
wrapped around his troubled memories of the past, of his father, his school days and of his cherished grandmother. His grandmother named him Luther after Martin Luther King who was her hero.
His grand mother used to tell him," that the pain and oppression of the Irish and black people is the samebut now we are free."
Luther is very bitter about the history of Ireland and the occupation and maltreatment by the British.
It also makes him think how like Ireland he had been mistreated and abused many times by many
people and circumstanes but he keeps doing his Tango and keep dancing. Keep seeing light in the dark.
He is hopeful and is getting ready for a big night full of fun, dancing and of bright light of hope and
promise.
His mind races and struggles with his past memories in a stream of consciousness manner which
combines incredible sadness and humor.
He often relates to the audience in a very intimate manner making believe as if they are part of the show.
I loved that sense of intimacy.
But his sharp humor and his Tango is the saving grace for his non-stop racing stream of memories and
wonder. At one point he says, "I am mad but people who claim they are not mad are lethal."
It's mysteriously vague if he had been in mental institution some time ago and now recalling the time in
a ward, the nurse and his difficult thought process like water flowing and not flowing at the same time.
But now he lives alone in a single room by himself and his present occupation is overflowing memories
entangled in his most favorite occupation whic is the Tango and Pat Kinevane can do that Tango in a
fast and furious manner lit by beautiful and ominous and haunting lights by Pius Magrath.
It's the best lighting design particularly for this show, enhanced by the voice of Tango instructor, Jose
Miguel Jimenez.
Pat Kinevane is an extremely versatile performer with booming voice which has a lot of range all
the way from a scary shout to a melodiously soft whisper which takes your breath away. He is
agile, dramatic and stunningly captivating.
It's another fantastic production by the most wonderful Fishamble.
There are more fascinating plays in this amazing festival, Origin's 1st Irish festival is one of the best theater festival in NYC right now, The plays and readings are happening at many venues such as Cell theater, Irish arts center Ny Irish arts center in Queens, Irish historical society, 59E59 st and lasting till April 29. Plays are from Ireland as well by local Irish American playwrights/directors/muscians.
It's my most favorite theater festival and I am always excited for it's arrival and have been covering it for the last couple of years and it's such a delight to encounter the poetry and music and passion and humor and many other jewels and gems in such marvelous work of art. Don't miss it, still one more week left for you to treat yourselves.
Reviewed
by
BINA SHARIF
ATCA
Editor/Publisher:artsinernational.blogspot.com
email:binashariff@gmail.com
Cell:212-260-6207
Facebook, Instgarm.
This review is also posted on www.facebook.com/hidramas
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