Spooky goings on at the Crypt Art Centre, Dublin Castle, for the Tuesday night premiere of noir-ish cyberthriller New World Order, a stark slice of pseudo sci-fi which, in its more unpleasant moments, echoed the accomplishments of cinema's most infamous Davids, Lynch and Cronenberg. Grim, gritty, often gut-wrenching . . . yes, it must have made a pleasant change for director/producer John O'Brien who, at the aftershow reception, recounted his behind-the-camera experiences on the Wicklow set of last year's lurid US TV action show, Mystic Knights of Tir na nOg, brainchild of the people who gave us Mighty Morphin' Power Ranger and touted as a shillelagh-wielding rival to innuendo-laden sword'n'sorcery ham-fest Xena - Warrior Princess. Another Celtic hokum refugee, New World Order leading man Ben Palmer, seemed relieved to be back treading the boards. Playing the Mystic Knight of the Forest did not, one suspects, require de Niro levels of intensity.
Cast and crew were joined by arts and theatre figures including Fair City director Neasa Hardiman, whose Language Creative studios provided the play's minimalist multimedia accoutrements. Neasa is readying herself for a fresh season at the helm of the soap - shooting begins next month. Any big developments this year, Neasa? Ah, but that would be telling, wouldn't it? Also about was hotly tipped fashion designer Deirdre Fitzgerald, responsible for NWO's stunning outfits, an eyegoggling hodgepodge of 21st-century chic which would have done Jean-Paul Gaultier proud.
Dublin Theatre Festival director Tony O'Dailigh was keeping quiet about October's event, although he did speak of the new Frank McGuinness play which is in the offing at the Abbey. After a decade at the helm, this will be O'Dalaigh's last year in charge. Theatre Works main man Michael Caven took time out from the Gaiety's production of John B. Keane's Moll, where he directs, to hobnob with Adrienne Browne of contemporary dance troupe New Balance, violinist Angela de Burca and Amnesty International director Mary Lawlor.