The Playhouse, Derry presents 'Re-Energize' by Gary Mitchell. Photo: GC Photographics

The Playhouse, Derry presents 'Re-Energize' by Gary Mitchell. Photo: GC Photographics

The Playhouse, Derry presents 'Re-Energize' by Gary Mitchell. Photo: GC Photographics

The Playhouse, Derry presents 'Re-Energize' by Gary Mitchell. Photo: GC Photographics

The Playhouse, Derry presents 'Re-Energize' by Gary Mitchell. Photo: GC Photographics

The Playhouse, Derry presents 'Re-Energize' by Gary Mitchell. Photo: GC Photographics

Reviews

Re-Energize

by Gary Mitchell

May 13-18, 2013 (also 9-23 Sept, 2013 at The Lyric Theatre)    |    The Playhouse, Derry

Reviewed by Jane Coyle on 14 May

There is a delicious sense of Groundhog Day at the re-emergence on stage of Dave, Pete, Humper and Alison, the central characters of Gary Mitchell's pulsating 1999 play Energy. But that sensation is far from delicious for the quartet themselves, for whom, to put it mildly, life has not been kind. Photo: GC PhotographicsMitchell's keenly anticipated sequel Re-Energize fast-forwards the action 30 years, building on the affection and nostalgia generated by its forerunner and catching up with the four members of a has-been band, now struggling to keep their heads above water in the changing times of the so-called 'new Northern Ireland'. What remains undiminished at the core of their derelict existences is their devotion to punk music and to their unfulfilled, covert aspirations to get out there and prove it can still speak powerfully to and for the people. read complete review

Changing direction: departures and arrivals at the Dublin Fringe Festival, Edinburgh International Festival and Belfast Festival at Queen’s

Changing direction: departures and arrivals at the Dublin Fringe Festival, Edinburgh International Festival and Belfast Festival at Queen’s

The life of a festival director is one of constant motion. Regularly seeing art at home and abroad is one of the most appealing parts of the job (as anyone who has never...

Making no assumptions: Colm Tóibín’s Testament of Mary closes on Broadway despite Tony nominations

Making no assumptions: Colm Tóibín’s Testament of Mary closes on Broadway despite Tony nominations

The fortunes of Colm Tóibín’s The Testament of Mary on Broadway might best be described as a mixed blessing. Barely an hour after it received Tony Award nominations...

Mark Cantan wins the Stewart Parker Trust Award

Mark Cantan wins the Stewart Parker Trust Award

Mark Cantan has been awarded the Stewart Parker Trust New Playwright Bursary of €7,500 for his debut full-length play, Jezebel. The award, which recognises and supports...

IETM Dublin meeting: Tried and Trusted

IETM Dublin meeting: Tried and Trusted

IETM’s primary purpose has always been about networking and ‘if anything, [it] is built on trust,’ says IETM board president and artistic director of...

Post_fest