by Jane Belden

Shasta College's first touring production to the Trinity Alps Performing Arts Center seems to have been a success. The experience for them warranted a future return to Weaverville for another visit to this venue.

Robert Soffian, director of the play said he would seriously consider it even though it was a lot of work for one weekend. I must say that the work they put into the play resulted in a performance that many of the few attendees admired and complimented.

The play took place in present time, in an Irish pub in the town of Sligo, Ireland, owned by a young chap, Brendan (James Hutchinson). Right away Jack (Dean Williams) an independent bloke about fortyish, comes in and they settle in to a typical semi personal bar room relationship setting the scene for what's to come. Jim (Levi Golden) a young sometimes and slow moving carpenter situated with the care of his elderly mom comes in and the conversation turns to Finbar (Bob Koroluck) and the new girl in the area Valerie (DeAnne Jones-Foley) who Finbar has sold some property to and to whom he has taken on as his personal responsibility the job of showing her around. Jim and Jack and Brenden are all single and Finbar is married, so a little jealous jostling of Finbars intentions goes around. Soon Finbar and Valerie, the blow-ins (new arrivals) enter the scene and she gets acquainted with each.

More bantering about and drinking and smoking (note: herbal Cigarettes are smoked during the performance) and the story telling begins. Each character had a story to tell and the lighting reflected well the moods and the storm without the pub. After each story, one a little more loolah (Wild, nuts, strange) then the one before, there would be a pregnant pause and then the lights would come back up and conversation would return to normal. When Valerie tells her story which is true, you could hardly breathe for the silence in the audience and on stage. DeAnne was very true to her character. She was really good and never did I think that she was anyone other then the character she was portraying. Her story outdid the others but their stories gave her the confidence to tell her story. Dean was wonderful in his part as Jack and his experience as a professional with many of the North State troupes like Riverfront, other small theater groups and the college has given him much pleasure. Bob had the look of a handsome sixty plus gentleman who knew his way around business and women. His part was the brunt of conversation and had an integral position in the balance of characters. The characters were all well written. Soffian with the directing and Dean Munroe with the tech team brought forth a memorable play in what I consider a very short rehearsal time, less then six weeks.

The play was rated adult for the language and subject matter and the "f" word was used to it's greatest extent although for some reason was easier to accept in the contest of the play and with the well done Irish brogue of the characters. If you missed this play you can see it performed this weekend November 10, 11 at 8:00 p.m. Shasta College Theater. Redding, CA.

Reprinted courtesy of the Trinity Journal

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