The Big Fellah

A friend sent me a text saying: Would you like to see a comic absurdist play about an IRA safe-house in New York?

Of course I did. What else would I do on a Thursday evening?

I enjoyed it a lot. Written by Richard Bean, The Big Fellah gives a potted history over three decades of the IRA, but from the interesting perspective of Irish Americans in New York. It covers a whole load of things, from national identity to the psychological impact of violence, with one of its most prevalent themes questioning what people are prepared to sacrifice for a “cause” – and their reasons why.

It’s both extremely funny, and extremely dark, and its commentary on terrorism almost uncomfortably current. The acting was great too: really energetic and engaging, managing to bring the entire audience to a complete, stunned silence at several points.

If anyone gets the chance to see it, then I recommend it.