NY Theatre Wire, Edinburgh 1999
NY theatre wire review of Say Nothing
From Ulcerous Ulster Ridiculusmus Duo in “Say Nothing” IN NORTHERN IRELAND
Irish duo of David Woods & Jon Hough give their neighbors the Ridiculusmus Treatment. Belfast sidewalk shootings and tea-shop bombings are as nothing to the devastating humor of the Ridiculusmus duo of David Woods and Jon Hough. At least that seems to be the prevailing opinion, as they tour the world and rake in award after award.
One way of ignoring (or rising above) the continuing Protestant-Catholic, Unionist-IRA confrontations in Northern Ireland, as their new show’s title suggests, is to “Say Nothing.” Woods plays Kevin, an English Ulsterman, just back from England with a doctorate in Peace and Conflict Studies. Confronted by an avid Orangeman, a peculiar B&B landlady who won’t let him have his bed, and others (all played by Hough) he loses his cool. He proves to be the last person you’d call in to resolve a conflict. The team thrives on repetition of lines. But this may also suggest that, having nothing really to say, people often fall back on repeating clichés. Especially if the realities of life around them are too appalling to be discussed. And to be dealt with (and resolved).
My problem with the show was not the unfunny repetitions of trying to position the English town of Goole (with gestures in the air) amongst literary territories such as James Herriot and Bronte land. The real difficulty was rather with the Ulster accents of Hough, who spoke very rapidly and in a generally low voice. Super-titles would have helped immensely.
Glenn Loney
Related pages:
.. Klikka.net, Malta 2003 .. Edinburgh Guide, Edinburgh 2003