Sell your father, offer up a kidney, rob a banker, do whatever you can to get tickets to see Witness in the West Cork Fit-Up Festival. Written by Carmel Winters (who I have already preemptively praised for her almost as wonderful play Best Man) and performed by Kate Stanley Brennan, it is an awe-inspiring, harrowing and uplifting performance. It is awe–inspiring because Kate has to act the parts of both the mother and son, and she achieves this sublimely, slipping between proud and yet damaged femininity and a slouching traumatised adolescent masculinity. It is harrowing because of the content of the play and the original and deeply moving perspective on tragedy and anguish that Carmel achieves; and yet still she manages exquisite moments of humour that break the tension just long enough for a cathartic bark of laughter from the audience. And while it may seem surprising that a play that rips open the belly of family secrets can be uplifting it is because of the almost mystical combination of Carmel’s writing and Kate’s acting that it fills the heart. It is, without doubt, the best piece of theatre I have ever seen. You leave the venue (which in this case was an echoing community hall in Goleen) stunned and grateful that such a rare moment has been witnessed. We have only seen the beginning of the bright lights that are Carmel Winters and Kate Stanley Brennan.
Witness in the West Cork Fit-Up Theatre Festival
Wed. Aug. 14th 8pm Kilcrohane Community Hall (limited seating at venue)
Thurs. Aug. 15th 8pm Ballydehob Community Hall
Fri. Aug. 16th 8pm. Sherkin Island Community Hall http://www.sherkinferry.com (limited seating at venue)
Sat. Aug. 17th 7.30pm Allihies Community Centre.