Ghosting- The Past is Always with Us

Streaming June 22-July 4, 2021 at The Irish Repertory Theatre

“Ghosting: a noun. The practice of ending a personal relationship with somebody by suddenly, and without explanation, withdrawing from all communication.”

Síle.(Sheila) moved to London from Ireland “for anonymity” five years ago to get away from everyone and everything. She neither stays in touch with family,  nor lets in anyone new. When she sleeps she has bad dreams. One night,   ex-boyfriend Mark Kelly appears at the foot of her bed. After taking her virginity, he “ghosted” Síle six years ago during the particularly painful time of her mother’s illness and death. When she wakes, her sister texts “Mark Kelly died.” She surprises herself by deciding to go home to the funeral.

This is a slight memory play performed in monologue until the denouement. Síle.“sees” and recalls herself at various points in childhood, runs into a school acquaintance, avoids her dad, drinks, and goes to the funeral looking for closure. Mark’s mother whispers, “I don’t blame you.” For what?! The heroine gets drunk, commandeers, and seduces a young man she’s just met. It turns out as one might expect. She also finds out what the dead man’s ma meant (the fact of which is puzzling) and, in the end, with Mark’s help, exorcises her own burdensome secret.

Playwrights Jamie Beamish and Anne O’ Riordan have created a petulant, unlikeable character who wears out her welcome. Síle. becomes sympathetic only after we learn about her past which is deftly revealed as if peeling an onion. Double entendre is clever. Peripheral characters are well drawn.

As the heroine, actress Anne O’ Riordan is excellent but for the speed of her delivery which, to American ears, may be a strain. Her Irish accent is strong. We believe Síle. anxiety, frustration, anger, and yes, relief.

Andrew Macklin is wonderful as (the cottony voice of) Mark.

Jamie Beamish’s direction suits streaming well. In collaboration with Lighting Designer Dermot Quinn, he manifests variety of scale, point of view and evocative background (Video Sets), holding our interest. Beamish is also skilled with sound. Síle, however, emerges a bit one note.

Photos Matt Ross Courtesy of the Production

Kudos to the two creatives behind this piece. When no one comes knocking, write and perform your own theater!

If you watch and you can, please donate. Irish Repertory is particularly worthy.

Irish Repertory Theatrre
Thrown Shapes and Theatre Royal Waterford present
Ghosting– by Jamie Beamish and Anne O’Riordan
Performed by Anne O’Riordan
With Andrew Macklin
Directed for Streaming; Music and Sound by Jamie Beamis
Live Video Editing by Sean O’Sullivan
Recorded April 2021 at Theatre Royal Waterford