BWW REVIEWS: A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, Arts Theatre, February 2010

A Man Of No Importance, telling the tale of Dubliner Alfie Byrne, who works as a bus conductor but aspires to greater dramatic possibilities, is the first Union Theatre show to transfer into town, and is emblematic of the high quality the Union expects from its productions. Although the show is clearly underwritten for the majority of characters and while something undefinable is lost as the show moves from from the wonderful intimacy of the Union to the rather larger and rather more uncomfortable Arts, the show is still able to stand up straight on its own merits - the great songs and strong casting.

In the lead role of Alfie, Paul Clarkson is simply wonderful. He has a truly warm quality to his acting that means his chemistry was strong with everyone at all points, whether interacting with bus driver Robbie (Patrick Kelliher) or new girl Adele (Roisin Sullivan). He is the glue holding the production together, bringing pathos and humour to Alfie, who has bumbled his way through life without ever really showing his true self, rather choosing to focus on others.

Kelliher, too, is a delight to watch, and while his vocals can at times seem more pop than musical theatre, he hit his high notes with alacrity in the gorgeous 'Streets Of Dublin' and managed to build a strong and believable friendship between Robbie and Alfie. Sullivan, who looked almost ethereal in Adele's floral dress and beige heels, handled the underwritten Adele's dramatic scenes with ease and maturity, sparkled when on stage and more than convinced of the peculiar balance between innocent and secretive that her conflicted character demands.

Unfortunately, Joanna Nevin as Alfie's strict Catholic sister Lily seemed well out of her vocal comfort zone when shooting up the octave, and also somewhat overplayed the comic elements of her scenes. Dieter Thomas as the charismatic Breton Beret didn't quite hit the mark for some of the audience, who saw comedy in what were meant to be far more dramatically charged scenes witH Clarkson, but he soon redeemed himself with his smooth vocals.

Meanwhile, the rest of the ensemble ably supported with lovely harmonies and nice comic nuances, eliciting a vocal standout from Barra Collins (Sully O'Hara) and a comic one from the brilliant Jamie Honeybourne (Ernie Lally). While A Man Of No Importance could benefit from some tightening (possible) and better writing for some of the characters (not going to happen), it is a sweet, compelling piece that more than deserved its transfer and will hopefully bring a new audience to the Union.

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