Soho Theatre – until 6 July 2019
Reviewed by Elizabeth J Smith
4****
Citysong is a stonking poetic piece of writing that follows a Dublin family through the cycle of life. From marriage to the trauma of child birth, adolescence and the fumbings of youth, middle age boredom, to old age and dementia.
Dylan Coburn Gray’s play moves at an engaging pace, as we are introduced to all three generations of the Dublin family members. The versatile cast play 60 characters, seamlessly portraying different genders, ages and time frame. Each character bringing insight and observations on what is happening around them. How we don’t always say what we feel or see. Choosing to be polite or correct. Masking what we really want to say against a back drop of what we do say. How growing older brings the pleasure’s and the pain’s of life to us all to decipher, come to terms with and move on.It is a tapestry of emotions felt with humour and compassion.
Directed by Caitriona McLauglin who captures the rhythm of the writing, complimented by the soundtrack of Adrienne Quartly, setting the scenes and moving the day along. Evoking sympathy and empathy for the family members. The set, designed by Sarah Bacon, shows a broken mirror map of Dublin and as the day unfolds the characters catch a reflection of themselves or do they?
This is a piece of beautiful writing with a big dollop of Irish humour, portrayed by an extremely talented cast, an evening well spent in their presence.