Vagabonds - My Phil Lynott, Civic Theatre

The idea of a concept album is brought up during Vagabonds. It is an interesting, and here, an apt thought. In some ways, Vagabonds (the name inspired from the Thin Lizzy album Vagabonds of the Western World, which in itself seems to come from The Playboy of the Western World) is a bit like that. The first track gives us a bawdy comedic introduction, bringing a cartoonish Cú Chulainn to life, with fake red beard and 'tash, maybe a nod to today's bearded generation. 

The next track gives us the rock star - Phil Lynott - complete with instantly recognisable hair and clothes, gong from living star, to being a statue outside Bruxelles, off Grafton Street, noting that no one mentions how cold it can be being a statue, before a commentary of the kind of person that comes up to the Thin Lizzy front man, a band remembered for tracks like Whiskey in the Jar and The Boys Are Back in Town. Here, a man from Clonakilty tries to decide what his favourite Lizzy album is. In the end he likes them all. But even this gives way to the real story hidden behind the opening - that of Rob, living with his family, and brother Dave, both are adopted and growing up in Birmingham during the 80s. The parallel, or similarity, to Lynnott growing up in Dublin is part of the concept. 

This is where the concept comes together in moments that are very grounded. It brings to life the bedroom of Rob's teenage, and cool, older brother Dave - the posters on the wall, the rock albums he plays, and how Rob gets introduced to Lizzy by Dave. This sequence is heartfelt and personal. And Dave looms larger at this point than Lynnott does.

The opening nearly lays it's stall out. 'What makes a hero?' the ancient hero of Ireland asks. It is a question that Rob, and Phil, look at and try to answer. But family becomes a larger part of this work, belonging, looking up to someone, admiring them, fitting in. While on the surface it might seem like a look at the life of Lynnott - although this is looked at in vignettes, from the beginning to the end - it is about Rob and his brother Dave, their relationship during the Thatcher years, the reference points dropped in as part of the dialogue, and beyond.

It is a credit to Rob Mountford (who also performs) and Chris Larner (the director) that they show us through words, rather than describing things. The bedroom comes to life because of Rob's expression and simply pointing things out. It moves well through it's task, not worried about showing the seams and thought processes, as reality and memory seem to merge; a little like wondering how much of a song is autobiographical or not. The fourth wall is broken when necessary, and done so for the better. There are some lovely staging moments throughout as well, like the young Rob on the chair, with his feet dangling. 

This is a funny, touching and personal tale, that uses Phil Lynnott as mirror for Rob. There are some up to the minute jokes added as well, and Mountford's performance is wonderful throughout, especially as the younger Rob and his brother Dave. Like a concept album, it might not all come together well, and the opening is soon forgotten as the real gold emerges, but it is a play that will leave you thinking and with a spring in your step. What you don't have is too many Thin Lizzy songs.