Rebel Rebel review: Vigorous two-hander about 1916 | Tiger Dublin Fringe

Rebel Rebel

Bewley’s Cafe Theatre @ Powerscourt

***

The role of poets in the Easter Rising has long been the stuff of legend (or cliche) but in this two-hander it's a pair of often-overlooked actors who take centre stage in the insurrection. Rebel Rebel, written and performed with considerable vim by Robbie O'Connor and Aisling O'Mara, tells the story of real-life figures Sean Connolly and Helena Molony, who forsake acting in the Abbey to fight with the Irish Citizen Army. The drama, directed by Louise Lowe as part of the festival's Show in a Bag initiative, isn't always subtle, but both actors bring an arresting intensity to their characters as they explore their motivations and intense but ambivalent feelings for each other. Meanwhile, the chaos and bloodshed of the rebellion is recreated with acrobatic movement and atmospheric sound design. A stirring new perspective on a familiar theme.

Until September 19th