EDINBURGH 2018: Review: KILLYMUCK, Underbelly

Killymuck is a housing estate in Ireland which was built on a pauper's graveyard. Set in the 1970's, Niamh takes us through her experience of the class system at this time.

Skillfully performed as a one-woman play by Aoife Lennon, Niamh tells us about life as a "benefits bastard". Her father was involved in an accident that left him unable to work and the family had to survive on his Disability Living Allowance- or more accurately the little he didn't spend in the pub.

Kat Woods' script packs a powerful punch. Niamh gives us great insight into poverty from the perspective of a teenager. It is shown how the day to day difficulties of growing up on benefits has long-term effects.

Killymuck is a very political piece and Lennon breaks the fourth wall to address the audience with some facts about poverty. The higher statistics of suicide in poor communities leads her to conclude that these people are seen as 'disposable'. She also makes some excellent points about equality vs equity and offers suggestions about what can be done to make the class system fairer.

Poignant and heartbreaking, Killymuck is a wonderful production and a must see at the Fringe.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/killymuck