Stones in His Pockets

For the most part hugely funny, this tale of Hollywood movie makers at work in the scenic countryside of Ireland also possesses a serious, not to say rather upsetting, theme.

At one point, indeed, the very seriousness of the piece provides an apt in-joke.

The Churchillian movie director Clem Curtis, commenting on two young extras' idea for a film, observes: "People don't go to the cinema to be depressed. That's what the theatre's for."

Not this time though. Marie Jones contrasts the glamour of Hollywood with the reality of the lives of the County Kerry folk helping to supply the scenic backdrop to the movie.

Her script, happily, avoids too many of the stage cliches of 'Oirish' life -- though religion, the respect for family life, and, yes, the drinking are too obvious to be ignored.

The chief delight of the play is that its gallery of memorable, oddball characters are all presented by just two actors.

For most of the time, Hugh Lee is the rather serious-minded extra Jake Quinn, whose good looks catch the eye of film star Caroline Giovanni, while Malcolm Adams is his wise-cracking pal Charlie Conlon.

But then, in an instant, they offer compelling portraits of very different people at work on the set.

Mr Adams, for instance, gives a hilarious picture of the gorgeous, pouting Ms Giovanni as well as a solid account of the aforementioned director Clem.

Having once met Mr Lee's simpering production assistant Aisling -- bossy to the minions, while sycophantic to her superiors -- we look forward to her regular return.

But Mr Lee is also displaying his versatility as the hunched-up Old Mickey, veteran of many a movie set (and bar) and -- at the opposite end of the age scale -- the 17-year-old disillusioned druggie whose suicide by drowning (stones in his pockets) provides a mainspring of the plot.

The play, which is expertly directed by John McElhinney, continues until Saturday.

CHRIS GRAY