The Grandmother ****
Andrews Lane Studio
Irish Company Monkeyshine have brought a sweet’n’lithe offering to the fringe table. The Grandmother, devised by actors Kareen Pennefather and Colm O’Grady, is a simple story imaginatively told. Crabby old Granny lives in a lighthouse on the ocean, far away from a world that has disappointed her; spending her time pelting seagulls with pebbles and generally behaving rather badly. Then along comes a tiny boat carrying George, her only, and unwelcome, grandson. Gradually, due to George’s impish and gleefully boyish behaviour, the old lady’s frozen old heart begins to melt. Told with confidence, authority, an old sheet, a papier- mache light house and a clever vanity case, this is child’s play at its best.
The midweek lunchtime show is at a difficult time for most children: let’s hope Granny gets out and about post-festival. Definitely one for younger children to enjoy, and even my 10-year-old left with a smile on his face.
Hillary Fannin
The Irish Times
PRESS
Lost property
Edinburgh Fringe
For a physical piece of theatre which combines clownery and puppetry, a forgotten lost property office is a good a setting as any for the female duo Monkeyshine.
Littered with props and costume changes everything seems out of place. Even the box into which the characters occasionally hide has the pathetic, misspelt label ‘missilanious’. But the tragedy of the piece is that both women - apparently cleaning ladies- seem utterly enmeshed within the fabric of their setting.
The pile of coats seems to consume them and their gestures, so familiar it seems to them both, are unselfconsciously mirrored by each other.
But their imaginations, at least, are free, whether they are re-enacting the moment one of them spied Rod Stewart across a crowded casino or when they pretended to literally take off, dressed in yellow jackets, as canaries flapping madly towards the sun. The best they can manage though, is Butlins.
This duo, whose community seems to offer little care, fill their half-hour set with poignant, brilliant and at times oddly uplifting theatre. Physical fringe productions are not normally my cup of tea but this certainly deserved more than its audience of three.
Ben Dowell
The Stage
The Grandmother
Verdict: Strong and original children’s story
Dublin Fringe Festival 2006 – Andrew’s Lane Studio – – 19-23 Sept 06 - 13:00 (0:40)
A bitter old woman with a frozen heart lives in a lighthouse on her own. Her little grandson comes to visit, and his antics melt her heart.
The Grandmother is a simple yet strong and original children’s story, told through excellent physical theatre with a comic touch. The two actors ( Colm O’Grady and Kareen Pennefather ) also narrate, skilfully shifting from one to the other. The minimal set is based on two chests of drawers - which double as beds, fireplaces, tables and towers. Most props have multiple uses: a sheet serves as a rock pool, projection screen, stormy sea.
It’s light and pleasant for adults, and doesn’t patronise children. On the way back the story about the Grandmother’s past comes out gives it a depth of feeling for both age-groups. And there’s playfulness - even the short film of the Grandmother’s wedding looks as if it was fun to make.
Colman Higgins 2006
Fringe Review
Chilly In the Dark Times
Children’s Express
‘.....a unique atmosphere, which was hard to look away from.’
A Frogs life
Atchoo Review
Cleverly conceived and exquisitely exacted with such artistry as to make it a satire for all generations.
