For over 25 years, The Factory Theater has presented original,
creative, and sometimes challenging shows created from scratch. The ensemble continue this tradition
presenting the world premiere of The Kelly Girls, written by Shannon O’Neill
and directed by Spenser Davies.
In 1960s Belfast, conflicts between various political
factions threaten to tear Northern Ireland apart from the inside. Sisters Fianna and Regan Kelly feel compelled
to engage in the fight for their homeland.
But when they join the ranks of the Provisional IRA and find themselves
committing acts of brutal terrorism and guerilla warfare, both young women are
forced to question how much they are willing to destroy in the name of
unity. Playwright Shannon O’ Neill
follows up her critically acclaimed May the Road Rise Up with this story
of political upheaval and taking a stand.
 |
Ben Veatch, Brittany Brown, Anne Sheridan Smith, and Amber Washington in The Kelly Girls
Photo by Candice Conner |
A fifth-generation Irish American, O’Neill demonstrates a unique knowledge of the intricacies and nuances of the Irish family life. Her earlier work, May the Road Rise Up,
shared the story of how members of an Irish American family struggled with the
loss of a loved one. They were held
together by strong family bonds which allowed the family to ultimately heal. The Kelly Girls is darker and, at
times, uncomfortable, but the strong family bonds remain. However, this time, the question of “who is
family” (mother/father/daughter/sister vs. Provisional IRA military unit)
becomes clouded by events outside the family's control. In
both stories, the strength is in O’Neill’s characters and the language she
gives them. In a City that has produced
more than its share of iconic writers over the years, O’Neill is one to watch.
Despite being sprinkled with humor, The Kelly Girls
is dark and uncomfortable, made even more so by The Factory Theater’s intimate
performance space. Once again, The
Factory Theater’s design team has created theatrical magic. The grit of 1960s Dublin is apparent as the
audience enters the theater. Brick walls plastered with handbills work both as
a gritty urban exterior as well as an intimate interior. Actors move and rotate
props and set pieces transforming the space from a family’s modest dining room
to a commodity shop to military checkpoint to a street demonstration to a
university interview room. Lighting
instruments and the sound system are pushed to their limits not only support
the scene but to create special effects.
This production reminded me of some of the best of 1980s Chicago Off-Loop
theater.
 |
The Kelly Girls
Photo by Candic Conner |
Director Spenser Davis takes advantage of the creative
intimacy by bringing the action through the audience on to the stage. The
audience often discovers itself in the middle of a scene. At one point, the lights come up and audience
members find themselves the apparent target of a Dublin street demonstration. Davis keeps the story moving scene to scene,
using every inch of the playing area. His direction not only brings out the
best in the script but also his talented cast.
Cast members rise to the challenge of maintaining character and accents
as they shapeshift through the scenes with audience members seated mere inches
away. The Kelly Girls is the very
definition of an ensemble production.
 |
The Kelly Girls
Photo by Candice Conner |
The challenges of the pandemic and the resulting shutdown
have posed significant challenges for live theater everywhere. Unfortunately, many theater companies did not
survive. This production of The Kelly
Girls demonstrates The Factory Theater's ensemble has returned as strong and
creative as before the shutdown. With
its willingness to take risks and continue to produce original works, this
theater company deserves to be supported.
I hope that it will. There was a
woman sitting next to me as we watched The Kelly Girls. After the show she said “I’ve never been to a
show at this theater before but I definitely will again!” Chicago supports its own.
The Kelly Girls continues at The Factory Theater
through April 1. For tickets and further
information
Comments
Post a Comment