"michael Collins: The Musical": No Kidding!

national | arts and media | opinion/analysis Thursday February 21, 2008 07:23 by W. O'Day

Musical bio on guerilla leader of the Irish War of Indepence is a tour de force

Michael Collins: A Musical Drama is currently playing at the Cork Opera House, Cork City, County Cork. Written and directed by Brian Flynn.

Michael Collins, the musical . . . ? What a concept! You're kidding, right? The very words prompt knee-jerk reactions from disbelief to horror. When it finally sinks in that this is not a gag . . . you still can't belive it. Although, of course, Collins' career has everything that makes for great theatre of operatic proportions: love, war, heroism, villainy, high tragedy and ultimate triumph for a cast of thousands. Yet we shake our heads and say, "Well . . . It would have to be very, very good indeed . . . to be any good at all." Not exactly what we'd expect from the twilight unreality of what often seems a dying art form these days, the world of musical theatre.

Who in that world could have the political comprehension to tackle the complex and delicate issues of Colilns' story? And in the same place, a composer, a lyricist equal to poetically rendering the epic nature of his struggle, the struggle of the Irish nation? The odds are so astronomical, one shrugs, "Great idea, really. Too bad nobody's that good."

Well, this writer stands corrected: I have seen the musical. And it's that good.

Think "Les Miz" meets the Neal Jordan film. * Above all, they got the story right. Or we should say he: our redoubtable writer-director Brian Flynn can hold his head up with the best Collins afficianados, and has done his historical homework. The writing, singing and performance are hot and infectious as can be. From the mysterious and ambient to the hopping latin-afro-celtic. Each principle is a vocalist of distinction, with more to say musically than some out there making records that we could name. And their talents are given full play in solos, duets, trios and choruses of ravishing beauty and power.

For me, the choreography was a secret star of the show. Although there are no dance numbers per se, a numerous chorus of men, women and children of all ages and sizes play out a continual cavalcade of living tableaux: battle scenes, street scenes, cheering crowds and public debates form the milieux of the action, choreographed with mind-boggling precision. We are swept up into every sepia-tone still from that time, eerily burst into blazing life before our eyes, in all the glory of Greek tragedy. The sensitive color scheme of costumes and sets adds to the feeling of a hand-tinted daguerrotype. There is never a dull moment as scenes shift with the illusion of effortlessness.

The cast could hardly be stronger. To say that the male lead is equal to his role is high praise indeed, when the shoes he must fill are so larger-than-life as Collins'. There is not a false note or a second-rate performance in sight. (Well, perhaps just that one high note in Kitty Kiernan's first song just brushed the border of interpretive license. But she was so lovely, poignant and thoroughly on key for the rest of the evening, that we were eager to forget that.) DeValera was positively hissable as the smooth-talking king of bureaucrats. Collins' relationships with his closest comrades, Joe O'Reilly and Harry Boland were beautifully realized.

Lighting effects highten the overall legendary tone acheived in production values that can only be termed masterly. (Although I do sympathize with anyone who must sing with so many smoke machines going all night. I would intercede with the director to mitigate their use just a bit, for the preservation of his singers' fine instruments. And to take care that the lush background accompaniment doesn't overpower the vocals in the more subdued singers and moments.)

In short, "Michael Collins: A Musical Drama" is the real thing. If you can, go see it.

Michael Collins: A Musical Drama is currently playing at the Cork Opera House, Cork City, County Cork. Written and directed by Brian Flynn.

* Bio-pic feature film "Michael Collins" 1997