Reviewed by A.C.
Rating: ★★★★ 4/5
Venue: Abbey Theatre, Peacock Stage
Time: 8:00pm
Running time: 120 minutes
Saoirse, at its core, is a love letter to muintir na Gaeltachta (the people of the Gaeltacht).
Having spent some time at Coláiste na Rinne, i gContae Phort Láirge (County Waterford), Saoirse brought me from the centre of Dublin City straight back to my roots.
Initially, I was sceptical about the set. The bare bones of pipes made me question how such a stripped-back space could carry the story.
I was wrong.
The use of the set throughout the production was excellent. Movement spanned from one side of the stage to the other, making the space feel so much bigger than it actually was.
And then there is Saoirse herself. There is so much to say about Saoirse.
She was shy yet fierce, loyal and completely her own person. She brought the Gaeltacht experience to life — saghas neirbhíseach (kind of nervous), but so spirited.
Róisín was also delightfully sassy. She is the friend we all have: bossy, confident, full of poise and focus.
And who could forget Aoife? Fiercely herself, she brings sharp, witty quips to the production and plenty of personality along with them.
What struck me most, though, was bród an teanga (pride in the language).
The pride of múinteoir Tara (teacher Tara), Siobhán, Liam and Nuala was palpable. The fight to preserve the school ultimately becomes a fight for the language itself, as well as the livelihoods and communities of so many people living and working in Gaeltacht areas timpeall na tíre (around the country).
Séamus provides plenty of comic relief, particularly when he loses his “lucky stocaí” (socks), while Caoimhín, previously the star of the football team before turning towards music, represents another kind of change. He brings a sense of a new beginning that had not seemed possible the year before, while remaining completely and unapologetically himself.
Director Muireann Kelly brings the audience back to their youth and, for me, back to my roots. So much so that at times it felt as though Saoirse had been plucked directly from my own memories.
I would encourage anyone to see Saoirse. It is funny, spirited and deeply rooted in the people and culture it represents. That said, having a good level of Irish definitely adds another layer to the experience and allows you to pick up on nuances that may otherwise be missed.
If you can go and see it, do. It is so worth the watch.
Gaeilge abú! (Long live Irish!)
