"michael Collins: The Musical": No Kidding!

national | arts and media | opinion/analysis

Thursday February 21, 2008 07:23

by W. O'Day

Musical bio on guerilla leader of the Irish War of Indepence is a tour de force

Michael Collins: A Musical Drama is currently playing at the Cork Opera House, Cork City, County Cork. Written and directed by Brian Flynn.

Michael Collins, the musical . . . ? What a concept! You're kidding, right? The very words prompt knee-jerk reactions from disbelief to horror. When it finally sinks in that this is not a gag . . . you still can't belive it. Although, of course, Collins' career has everything that makes for great theatre of operatic proportions: love, war, heroism, villainy, high tragedy and ultimate triumph for a cast of thousands. Yet we shake our heads and say, "Well . . . It would have to be very, very good indeed . . . to be any good at all." Not exactly what we'd expect from the twilight unreality of what often seems a dying art form these days, the world of musical theatre.

Who in that world could have the political comprehension to tackle the complex and delicate issues of Colilns' story? And in the same place, a composer, a lyricist equal to poetically rendering the epic nature of his struggle, the struggle of the Irish nation? The odds are so astronomical, one shrugs, "Great idea, really. Too bad nobody's that good."

Well, this writer stands corrected: I have seen the musical. And it's that good.

Think "Les Miz" meets the Neal Jordan film. * Above all, they got the story right. Or we should say he: our redoubtable writer-director Brian Flynn can hold his head up with the best Collins afficianados, and has done his historical homework. The writing, singing and performance are hot and infectious as can be. From the mysterious and ambient to the hopping latin-afro-celtic. Each principle is a vocalist of distinction, with more to say musically than some out there making records that we could name. And their talents are given full play in solos, duets, trios and choruses of ravishing beauty and power.

For me, the choreography was a secret star of the show. Although there are no dance numbers per se, a numerous chorus of men, women and children of all ages and sizes play out a continual cavalcade of living tableaux: battle scenes, street scenes, cheering crowds and public debates form the milieux of the action, choreographed with mind-boggling precision. We are swept up into every sepia-tone still from that time, eerily burst into blazing life before our eyes, in all the glory of Greek tragedy. The sensitive color scheme of costumes and sets adds to the feeling of a hand-tinted daguerrotype. There is never a dull moment as scenes shift with the illusion of effortlessness.

The cast could hardly be stronger. To say that the male lead is equal to his role is high praise indeed, when the shoes he must fill are so larger-than-life as Collins'. There is not a false note or a second-rate performance in sight. (Well, perhaps just that one high note in Kitty Kiernan's first song just brushed the border of interpretive license. But she was so lovely, poignant and thoroughly on key for the rest of the evening, that we were eager to forget that.) DeValera was positively hissable as the smooth-talking king of bureaucrats. Collins' relationships with his closest comrades, Joe O'Reilly and Harry Boland were beautifully realized.

Lighting effects highten the overall legendary tone acheived in production values that can only be termed masterly. (Although I do sympathize with anyone who must sing with so many smoke machines going all night. I would intercede with the director to mitigate their use just a bit, for the preservation of his singers' fine instruments. And to take care that the lush background accompaniment doesn't overpower the vocals in the more subdued singers and moments.)

In short, "Michael Collins: A Musical Drama" is the real thing. If you can, go see it.

Michael Collins: A Musical Drama is currently playing at the Cork Opera House, Cork City, County Cork. Written and directed by Brian Flynn.

* Bio-pic feature film "Michael Collins" 1997

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Comments (6 of 6)

Suggested scores?

by Musical fan

Thu Feb 21, 2008 09:11

Gosh I can't wait to see a chorus of barrell chested Corkmen in flatcaps, machintoshes and bandoleers twirling their .303 Lee Enfields in step to a jazz score!

It beats top hats, tuxedoes and canes doesn't it?

Cathal Brugha tap dancing into the fray with revolvers in both hands before he falls mortally wounded to Free State fire!

The big score would be a duet between The Long Hoor and the Big Fella!

As an openly gay man I can positively predict this will be a smash hit!

1990's BBC documentaries "Provos" and "Loyalists" are to become musicals

by musical fan 2

Thu Feb 21, 2008 13:08

A follow up to Michael Collins

michael collins

by jp100

Fri Feb 22, 2008 04:19

I dont know what that musical would be but if you go there, mind some sob does not shot you from a hill side on the way home. I will be hiding in boland mills.

Irish Les Mis

by OBRON

Sat Feb 23, 2008 02:06

My husband and I just happen to walk past the Opera house while in Cork City on vacation and bought tickets for opening night. We may have been the only Americans in the audience that night, but we feel were so fortunate to have been there. It was stunning! We have told everyone we met in Ireland before we left not to miss it. The actors were brilliant and the voices stunning. The audience was mesmerized throughout the entire performance. It was Les Mis for the Irish. I do hope it comes to the United States.

please sir can I have some more?

by oliver

Sat Feb 23, 2008 08:24

It's been a long time since General Liam Neeson stood next to Viceroy Stanford & saluted the Union Jack for its last time in that particular barracks. Oh yes. A lot of water has gone under the bridge & down the gutter since. The breakaway province of Ulster after a period of military supervision finally declared her independence and only a few rabid Irish ethnic types turned out to burn the British embassy in a vain sort of Balkan protest which nobody still understands thanks to the miraculous revisionist powers of B&W television. I'll write that again & expect you to read it as well. The miraculous revisionist powers of Black & White telly. Musicals can scrape the barrel and no doubt about it. After all what would one expect from the 20th century equivalent of the beggars' opera with more clothing covering less body hair? Oh yes. No need for italics or emphasis there. The first musical version of Anne Frank's life will premier next week in Madrid & though first mentioned in the English language on this news site, has only now merited a proper grown up polemical article in the serious press. http://arts.guardian.co.uk/theatre/news/story/0,,225932....html But behind the faux sophisticaté snobbery which trendy heathen pyromaniac types seem to delight in diluting with scorn on such demonstrations of theatrical production, the box office returns speak volumes. Our american visitors in need of light education without the obligation of evening wear or ladies gloves to hide the hairy forearms from the princess can not find words enough to praise these European endevours. So, enough of the slanging & sneering, I say!!! It's time we offered tax breaks to the individuals capable of producing the musicals of Ireland's future.

rave reviews

musical?

by lulu

Mon Feb 25, 2008 22:00

'Spose it was called an 'opera' - wdn't that be grand - we'd regard it differently.

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"michael Collins: The Musical": No Kidding!

Comments (6 of 6)