I have been grumbling to myself a little lately about a few plays which I thought of little merit, but which also lasted just an hour or so. It was disconcerting to be ejected into the street so summarily, even if brevity had its compensations.
Someone must have been listening because Libertine, at the Crypt Arts Centre, ran for over three hours. And it proved my point, albeity inversely, because I would not have shortened it at all.
Stephen Jeffries's play, set in the late 17th century, had theme, atmosphere and the right length - more a function of quality than of quantity.
It has a magnificent central character in John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester. He is the ultimate rake, revelling in those pleasures others regarded as vices: women, booze, gambling and more.
But he is essentially an outsider, who likes life a deal less than he thinks. He is also a writer of talent and a true theatre man, not just for fashion.
Niall O Sioradain plays the role in a manifestly major interpretation. He is a charismatic actor, one of the stage's fortunates who displaces air, and he has never been better than this.
As Wilmot he ultimately self-destructs to a final recantation - something of a disappointment - completing a cycle of, I would hold, tragedy. It grips like a vice.
Director John O'Brien has elicited substantial portrayals from others, too. Gerry O'Brien is the king, Charles II, Maeve Coogan is terrific as actress-lover, John Lawlor is a strong servant, and Maeve McGrath is Wilmot's wife.
Ben Palmer, Tim O'Riordan, Tom Power, Claire D'Alton, Sinead Roberts and Michael McCabe complete an impressive ensemble.
Don't you just love it when time flies?
Runs until September 4th; to book phone 01-6713387