A new play by Tom McIntyre had two performances in Galway at the weekend prior to a long and pioneering tour. The Gallant John-Joe, a one-man 80minute work with Tom Hickey, is by Skehana Productions, a company formed in 1991 but dormant since then. It offers itself as a national studio theatre taking new work by major writers to new audiences.
The company is off to a good start with this one. John-Joe tells his story, or a part of it that illuminates the whole, on a stage bare except for two chairs and an old mangle. He has been a widower for about 16 years, with one daughter, Jacinta, who is pregnant - or is she?
There are several male suspects: the well-to-do Boss-Man, a local Hirmatist (hypnotherapist), and the Chinese who owns the local chipper. John-Joe, always eccentric, becomes obsessed with the whole affair. Through his colourful meanderings the characters in his scenario take on flesh, and his problems a nightmarish ambience. Jacinta's pregnancy seems to be of the phantom variety, addling but not dispelling his prejudices. But then the whole story may be the dark illusions of a solitary man who is losing his grip on reality. The final emotion evoked by John-Joe is pity.
Tom Hickey's performance is masterful. The author's composition is rich, an instrument on which the actor plays with the touch of a maestro. The result is highly comical and touchingly sad; John-Joe, in this embodiment, contains multitudes.
Tours to McGrory's Culduff tomorrow; Balor Theatre Ballbofey on Wednesday; Ionad Teampall Chroine Dungloe on Thursday; Castlerea Prison on Friday; Community Hall Ballinamore on Saturday; Back stage Theatre Longford Sunday January 28th; Garage Theatre Monaghan January 30th; Town Hall Theatre Kiltimagh January 31st; Moate Club Naas February 1st; Ramour Theatre Virginia February 2nd; Lough Derg February 3rd; Birr Arts Centre February 4th; New Heritage Centre Kells February 6th; Mullingar Arts Centre February 7th; Kilmallock February 8th; Arts Centre Listowel February 9th; St Michael's Theatre Ballyduff February 10th; Raheen Community Centre Clonroche February 13th; Clere's Pub Kilkenny February 14th; Village Arts Centre Kilworth February 15th; Town Hall Skibbereen February 16th; Briery Gap Macroom February 18th.