REVIEW: Michelle & Arlene Holiday Special: Planes, Trains & Tractors at 12 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast
THERE isn’t much to laugh about at the moment, certainly not when it comes to Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill, no bosom mates they. But what would happen if by some stretch of playwright Rosemary Jenkinson’s imagination they ended up on holiday together, a time to bond? The mind boggles...
It’s December 22 in this Richard Lavery-directed piece, a time of goodwill to all men, says Arlene – except orangemen; everyone hates them, says Michelle.
But could it be that the two women might work out a resolution if they lock themselves away for two days in their Stormont office? Better still, who would know if they bunked off through a window and took a plane to Bulgaria for a short ‘getting to know you’ break?
What would happen if their bags are stolen and they have to thumb a lift and eventually get home in the back of a horse box?
This isn’t a play, it’s a pastiche, a romp with two actresses – Maria Connolly and Mary-Frances Doherty – going at it hot and heavy. As Michelle says, the longer we stay out of the office the more they’ll appreciate us when we go back – we’ll be superstars!
And are they? Do they come up with a resolution?
A clever script with references to topical events and people and a novel venue, a pop-up theatre in Shaftesbury Square, a black area with chairs and stools. Nothing fancy – just an hour of silliness and a good laugh.
:: Until Saturday December 09, 8pm, and again on December 21 and 22, at 12 Shaftesbury Square. More at accidentaltheatre.co.uk
