Our first review of ‘Trainspotting‘, thanks to former owner of Cleere’s Theatre - John Cleere. This review was published in the ‘Cleere Thinking’ column in the June 26th Edition of the Kilkenny Advertiser.

TRAINSPOTTING AT THE WATERGATE THEATRE

Have you ever watched the high wire act at the circus? Part of the fascination is wondering will someone slip and crash to the ground.

The Devious Theatre Company took the high wire this week when they tackled Irvine Welsh’s ‘Trainspotting’. This was risky stuff, the film is familiar to the mainly young audience, so they needed to bring something fresh to their stage adaptation.

I’m glad to say there are no shattered bones or broken artistic reputations to report. For anyone unfamiliar with the book or film, this is the story of a bunch pretty hopeless cases living very close to, if not completely over, the edge in Edinburgh. This isn’t the Edinburgh seen by visitors to the arts festival or rugby internationals. We are down in the underbelly where unemployment, alcohol and heroin are boss.

So, in a week that the country has been officially declared to be in a recession, is this the type of show that we really need? Actually I think it is. Along with a dose of reality there are plenty of laughs, especially once you come to terms with the near perfect Scottish accents.

The play has a cast of 11, some playing multiple roles. This is a big undertaking, but the company use two directors, Niamh Moroney and John Morton, to knock it into shape. I caught the opening night where there were just a couple of slow moments, but this should be ironed out by now.

With such a large cast it’s probably unfair to single out any individual performance, but in this case Ross Costigan deserves special mention. He is on stage for most of the show and you just know that this is the part he always wanted as he makes his journey through the hell of heroin addiction and back out again.

By the way, if you are easily offended this is probably not the play for you, although thousands of people seem to have no problem guffawing away to much more distasteful material from Tommy Tiernan.

Earlier in the day I attended the AGM of Kilkenny Tourism where the County Manager, Joe Crockett, outlined the importance of arts and culture to the future of Kilkenny. The Devious Theatre could be as important to Kilkenny as Druid Theatre have been to Galway or Red Kettle to Waterford, given the proper encouragement and support.

‘Trainspotting’ continues at The Watergate until Saturday June 28. ‘Not to be missed’, as the reviewers love to say.

You can read my extremely long re-cap of ‘Trainspotting’ here in my previous post.

Devious Theatre’s production of Irvine Welsh’s ‘Trainspotting’ has unfortunately come to a close (for now anyway). I had hoped to blog throughout our third production, but as usual, time always disagrees with my best intentions. I’m still completely overwhelmed by the whole thing, I’m not sure I could ever capture it all in a mere blog post, but I can easily say the past week has been one of the best weeks of my life. (This is going to be a very, very long blog post!)

Following on from weeks of intensive rehearsals, learning lines, mastering Scottish accents, practicing monologues, researching drug-use, and countless other things, we hit the Watergate Theatre last Sunday in final preparation for the show we hoped would firmly imprint the name Devious Theatre in people’s minds (and veins). I’m not sure any of us expected the reaction we’ve received, the overwhelming response we’ve had and the “buzz” that spread throughout Kilkenny leaving a whole new wave of “devious” junkies screaming for “one more hit”.

I’ve done a lot of shows over the years, I’ve walked the boards of the Watergate stage many times, it’s hard to explain the awesome feeling I get when I return to do it again, but to do so simply; I love it. And clearly I’m not the only one; all day Sunday we were buzzing around the Watergate, trying on costumes, music blasting, make-up and prop tests, people dancing, the set being constructed and giddy smiles all around. This was easily the biggest role I’ve ever played, an enormous challenge for me. Trainspotting was easily the biggest thing Devious have ever done (so far), and was hopefully going to be the show that displayed the broad range of talents, skills and abilities that Devious Theatre has to offer (so far). The tech-rehearsal and dress rehearsal flew by, myself and John Morton had our hair bleached and then dyed ginger (me) and bright blue (John), everyone laughed, our opening night came on Tuesday. I can easily say I’ve never been so nervous.

People piled into the theatre, the curtains opened, the lights came up and we let fly with our barrage of Scottish accents, monologues, syringes and “the C word”. The audience laughed at the highs, during the lows you could hear a pin-drop. Some people left in disgust (clearly naive and repressed). During “the toilet scene”, people gagged and moaned as their stomachs turned. Near the end, I looked out to see people crying in the audience. And when the lights finally went down in the finale, there was a stunned delay before the audience erupted with cheers and claps for the curtain call.It was hard to get feedback after the show, people were speechless. Countless hand-shakes, pats on the back, hugs, stunned smiles, praise and a lock-in followed.

Wednesday night, less than an hour before the curtain opened, Michael Murphy tripped coming off the stage (damn you Batman Trailer). Within minutes his ankle had swollen to the size of my head! Playing several different characters ( I think 8 in total), Micheal appeared throughout the story in various roles from the opium suppository dealing “Mikey Forrestor” to a “foostie minged auld c**t”. It was hard not to panic. Plans and scenes were re-arranged frantically, some actors took on any roles they could, I’d have to do some scenes on my own and refusing to give up, Michael did any scenes he could. Word of the show was spreading, the second night crowd were bigger than the first. The curtain opening and we “slammed the life-giving, life-taking-away elixir home”. Again people were stunned, the buzz continued to grow (and “rumour has it we went to Morrissons”).

On Thursday morning, my voice was gone, my whole body ached, everyone was exhausted and Mick had surgery on his ankle. I had completely given up on the possibility of being able to reply to the flood of txt messages, emails, bebo and myspace comments about the show. With only hours to go, we hit the Watergate to properly re-work and rehearse scenes. Micheal’s roles were divided up, again with some actors taking on extra roles and Devious Theatre committee member (and legend) Paddy Dunne learning lines to take-over the remaining parts. Our first review was published in the Kilkenny Advertiser, with John Cleere praising the show (I’ll post the review later). We were expecting it to be our quietest night, technically it was, but still over 130 people planted themselves into the Watergate seats for what so many people have described to me as “the greatest thing I’ve ever seen!”. Again; countless hand-shakes, pats on the back, hugs, stunned smiles, praise, some quickly scribbled congratulations notes and “rumour has it, we went to Morrissons”.

By Friday, I was reconsidering what I had previously considered the terms “exhausted” and “sore”. My throat was swollen, I gulped down endless amounts of hot-water, honey and lemon (Gollum Juice) and Difflam throat spray. Bookings were continuing to rapidly increase, people were constantly approaching me in the street to talk about the show, my Carlow crew flooded me with messages, they had booked out a whole row and had never seen me act, my stomach was doing somersaults. Mick showed up back-stage, he struggled on his crutches, profanities were written big and bright on his leg-cast, hugs were had all around.

The curtains opened to our biggest crowd yet, before the lights had even come up; myself (Rentboy), Ken McGuire (Tommy), Stephen Colfer (Spud) and John Morton (Sickboy) perched ourselves at the front of the stage in the dark, the opening music began and suddenly people began clapping and screaming, within seconds it had spread throughout the crowd, you could feel the energy in the theatre, we whispered to each other in shock on-stage, the lights came up and revealing the awesome set with four iconic characters bobbing their heads to ‘Blue Monday’, the crowd erupted. There you have it, the moment that myself and John Morton now call one of the greatest moments, ever! The even more amazing thing was, that this moment lasted nearly two hours, and when we finally took to the stage for the curtain call I was completely blown away as I watched audience members jumping to their feet. The ripple spread and we were standing on-stage staring out at a standing ovation. No words come to mind to describe this. It is a sight and feeling I will never forget yet never manage to put into words. Again followed by; hugs, stunned smiles, countless hand-shakes, pats on the back, praise (and rumour has it that we went to Morrissons but it was full of scum so we went to Anna Condas instead.)

Still managing to re-invent new meaning for “exhausted” and “sore”, drinking sickening amounts of “Gollum Juice”, overdosing on Difflam throat spray and energy drinks, we hit the Watergate early. Myself, John Morton and Suzanne O’Brien(Diane) got into costume and took to the streets of Kilkenny as junkies from the streets of Edinburgh, handing out flyers for the show and chatting to people in-character. People shook our hands, shouted Trainspotting quotes at us, stared, pointed, cheered and some stood completely confused by Scottish slang. Following my nightly warm-up/stretching session/freak-out, we had our nightly talk from directors Niamh Moroney & John Morton, we took to the stage ready for our final 8pm start.

8pm came and went, I paced the stage in anticipation. The usual sights of people hugging, smiling, people in trances as they ran through scenes in their head one last countless time. At 8:05pm, we could actually hear the crowd still growing, somebody passed on the shocking message; “holy sh*t, there’s even people in the balcony!”. Time continued to pass, it was hard to contain nervous giggles, we were visibly shaking and twitching with anticipation. When the crowd finally finished pouring in, sometime near 8:15pm, the curtains pulled back in the dark, we stared at the silohuettes of a full-house… “Blue Monday” began, the clapping and cheers began, the lights came up and there was that moment again, the one that lasts nearly two hours. Once again followed by a standing ovation. I was stunned, overwhelmed, amazed… you get the idea.

After that we hit Cleeres (again) for drinks, then we headed back to Ken McGuire’s house for quite easily the most anticipated party of the year. A Devious Theatre after-show party is very difficult to describe to anybody who wasn’t there, it’s kind of like the 60’s all in one night (without the drugs). Between four of us, we bought 96 bottles of beer. Following on from the week we had just survived, we deserved some epic celebrations and I can safely say; they were had. I have hundreds of hilarious photos, that make my sides sore from laughter, the cast continue to piece the night together on the cast forums, I’ve tried to keep up with the comments but I keep falling off my chair laughing when I read the thread. On Sunday night, we got together for dinner and one final time the rumour has it; we went to Morrissons.

On Monday, we entered the Watergate Theatre one final time (for now), the set was taken down, everything was packed away, John had his hair bleached again and went from bright-blue to “a light chestnut brown”, I think I’ll keep mine for a while. Still we were buzzing from the show. We went for dinner and still we couldn’t walk the streets without people approaching us about the show. I think I can easily say people will be talking about Trainspotting in Kilkenny for a long, long time. Any of us that were still able to hold back the tiredness went for a final drink, chatting about the week we had in pure shock and amazement. It has in no way sunk-in yet how great it was, it will take a while, and post-show blues on this one will probably make “coming off scag” more “like a bad flu!”.

I’m well aware that this is a ridiculously long post, but like I said, the past week has been of the best weeks of my life and I apologise but I still have a long list of “thank yous” and respect I would like to give to people. Where to start!? Firstly, with Directors Niamh Moroney & John Morton for their unbelievable work throughout this production. For having so much faith in me and seeing ability I never knew existed. For giving me the greatest part I have ever played (I thought you were crazy) and constantly encouraging me throughout. For awesome direction and constant willingness to expand on things and work on ideas. It was a pleasure from start to finish and I cannot wait to work with both of you again.

Thanks to Paddy Dunne, firstly for the awesome photo-shop wizardry on the posters that covered the town and initially set tongues wagging about the show. Then for plunging into the deep-end at the last minute when Mick got injured. And for so many other reasons; the countless times you make me laugh and feel the need to “high-5″ you. I’m so happy we finally got to do scenes together, that photo I have will always make me cry with laughter and seriously, I think you should dress as “Uncle Cha-Cha” all the time.

Ken McGuire, dude, I seriously don’t know where to start at this stage, quite simply; you rock. From endless encouragement to never slowing down, it’s both inspiring and tiring to see how much one person can do. And then to do so without ever complaining or not smiling!? I think he might be a Cylon!? It was awesome to share moments like we did on stage, you could nearly hear the tears hitting the ground in the auditorium. Thank you.

Thanks to Eddie “look out! he’s falling over!” Brennan, Murt Brennan and Ned Green for building the coolest looking set I have ever seen. Thanks to everyone who helped painting it and to Andy Harte for covering it with awesome graffitti. Thanks to Gerry Taylor for then lighting it and sorry for missing my marks, I think I covered it up well!? Thanks to Daw for the sound, yet another person who continues to provide me with endless encouragement in everything I do, and another person I could never thank enough. Thanks to the best crew ever; back-stage manager Colm Sheehan for your endless enthuasism and bad jokes, Thom Dowling for your crowd disgusting props and always running to get things I had forgotten, Kevin Mooney for your bad jokes and constant willingness to “get it out!”. Sorry I kept knocking the coffin over guys!

Thanks to Niall “he really is Begbie” Sheehy, for your constant energy, I’ve never seen anybody dance to “Cotton-Eye Joe” with such enthusiasm. When we were on the stage together people laughed so hard and when we went out into the auditorium screaming “The Road to Nowhere” you could see the fear of god in people. Thanks to Stephen “Spud” Colfer, for always making me laugh and endless batches of “Gollum Juice”. See you next time for the “Hour of Power” but remember to bring more beer Spud! Thanks to Suzanne “Dropping Lyrical Bombs” O’Brien for being crazy, please don’t tell me about your dreams, they hurt my head. Thanks to Maria Murray for her willingness to be bent over a coffin and generally put in positions somebodie’s parents should never see them in. To Paul “Mother Superior” Young for awesome chats and to Simone “I can’t believe she’s in Australia now” Kelly for your hilarious scumbag voice and falling over during the lock-in. Thanks to Mairead “Meet Mister Fist” Kiernan, who without a doubt destroys the fact that “girls aren’t funny!”, damn France and it’s luck! Thanks to Aileen Johnson for ruining my hair, doing my make-up, constantly poking me in the eye and trying to kidnap me to Belgium. Thanks to Kate St. John for the awesome costumes and Aoife Bambrick for more make-up. Thanks to Shane Hatton for the awesome photographs throughout and to Alan Slattery for shooting the video and agreeing to add all our crazy extra features ideas. I can’t wait to see it.

Thanks to Micheal “Too Excited by Batman ” Murphy, for all his hard work throughout rehearsals, I’m so sad you got injured dude. I’m glad we shared the boards on Tuesday night and look forward to doing so again. Thanks for making everyone awesome Trainspotting t-shirts, for never wanting to quit even when you couldn’t stand and for getting out of hospital to come back-stage providing me with encouragement.

I’m very worried that I’ve left somebody out, it’s hard to remember everyone for every awesome thing they have done. So if I’ve missed anybody then I really apologise, I’m exhausted and I’m still completely overwhelmed about this experience. I’ll no doubt be still blogging about Trainspotting for a while and the last week will always be firmly planted in my head and heart. It will always make me smile. I’m so proud of all of us for what we have achieved and so grateful to you all for so much.

Finally, I have to thank any person who came to see the show, especially those of you who came several times. Thanks to everyone who has sent us praise and compliments in messages, phone-calls, emails, comments on bebo or myspace. Thanks to all the people who have come up to us in the street, those who have blogged about the show, talked about it in the newspapers, on the radio, everywhere… thanks to you all, I’m so glad you enjoyed it and can safely say there is plenty more to come from us at Devious Theatre. So there you have it, one of the greatest weeks of my life and an insanely long blog post. “Awesome… awesome to the max!!!”

I’ve been waiting three weeks to be able to announce this, as Devious Theatre release individual character posters for our third production; Irvine Welsh’s ‘Trainspotting‘, my poster came out this week.

I’ll be playing greedy, self loathing, nihilistic anti-hero Mark ‘Rentboy’ Renton in the WaterGate Theatre the 24th - 28th of June. In the Devious tradition, a truly awesome series of posters are being created for the show, once again due to the skilled hands of Paddy ‘that was from Jaws!’ Dunne. The man behind the posters for ‘Heart Shaped Vinyl‘ and ‘Cannibal! the musical‘. His work continues to amaze me.

Tickets are now on sale for the show and booking is starting to pick up so make sure and book your tickets early through the WaterGate Theatre: 056 77 61674.

I’ve spent the last few weeks getting to grips with my character; reading the script, reading the book, listening to the audiobook, watching the film, working on my Scottish accent, reading about how to do Scottish accents, talking to myself out loud in Scottish, reading about heroin use and generally transforming myself into a Scottish junkie. It’s easily the most challenging role I’ve ever played, but I love a good challenge.

Over the coming weeks I’ll be posting updates on rehearsals and P.R work we’re doing for the show, and make sure to keep an eye on the Devious Theatre website for more updates, news and of course more character posters.

Book tickets for Devious Theatre’s ‘TrainSpotting’ on 056 77 61674.