Granary Theatre, Cork

For her new play, Urban Angels, at the Granary, Oonagh Kearney gathers a group of stereotypes around a single unifying event in order to examine their different reactions to the incident.

An introductory monologue establishes each character on the basis of Plato's dictum that thought is the mind in conversation with itself. It is only when the conversations cohere into dialogue that they become interesting, although the points at which these people touch remain fragile. The writer is examining the theme of choice and how decisions define character; with some promising performances - especially from Helen Collins, Cora Fenton and Donal Courtney - Kearney directs a little indulgently but is encouragingly independent of predictable closure.

The soporific pace, absence of projection, the delay of 20 minutes before starting and the insistence that the audience withdraw to the foyer during the interval (for no reason apparent on our return) in themselves defeat the definition required to achieve a theatrical atmosphere, the only one in which the derivative flavours could be ignored. Marking the debut of the newly formed Poor Mouth Theatre Company, the production seems too casual to bear the weight Kearney imposes, although it offers evidence, especially in the well-timed, orchestrated commentary involving the whole cast, of a definite dramatic talent.

Mary Leland

Urban Angels continues at The Granary Theatre, Cork, until Saturday January 27th. For information phone 021 4904275