Old Flames, The New Theatre, Dublin

Eddie, a painter, arrives for his new job. Expecting Pete, he winds up with Jamie, Pete's younger brother, who seems more eager to have a cuppa and chat up the ladies than get down to some work. Its not any old job either, its the home of Abbie, Eddie's ex, and her older sister, Sorcha, a minor detail Sorcha didn't mention until it was too late, leaving Abbie confused, and Eddie happy to have a paying job, or is there another reason? Not that Abbie is too worried, now that she is engaged to Vancouver boy, Lance, with plans to move there with him leaving Sorcha behind, something predatory Sorcha, with eyes on sad comedian Ralph, isn't too keen about. It's a case of 'what's it all about, Abbie?' And what is the deal with 'cheeky chappy, fancies himself with the birds' Jamie, and why does he only have a Junior Cert, wasn't there something about him and the local school? There is a lot going on here. Shane Burke's newest work, presented by Run Amok Theatre and The New Theatre, is billed as a black comedy that does have some genuine laugh out loud lines, but on the whole it does come across as a little bit uneven. 

Played out on a set that resembles more of a student accommodation, complete with upturned beer crate topped off with wood as a table, this one room space, with paint gear on one side and boxes on the other, is where the action builds up slowly to an abrupt ending. The quartet of actors, as Ralph and Lance are never seen, settle well into Fionn McShane's sparse but workable set, lit well by Nell Conneally.

Aoife Moloney plays the worried, manipulating sister well, warming up to some frosty moments after a slow start, moving easily past serious topics, even blaming Abbie's up tightness on too much coffee rather than Sorcha's actions. Eddie (Cormac McDonagh) and Abbie (Ashleigh Dorrell) are the couple from a long time ago, working well together.

Cal Kenealy breathes solid life and a freshness into Jamie, giving him a good talk and some of the walk, although when chatting to the ladies he feels he can easily woo, there is a nervousness that comes over which does work with this character, while being able to show a dark side deep in his eyes when needed. Kenealy skilfully delivers his one liners, showing good comedy timing and an understanding of the words entrusted to him, and is a delight to watch.

At times there is a confidence to Burke's writing that is on display in the first scene, starting us off brightly, with good lines, a good set up, good give and take between the two characters. As the evening goes on, straight through with no interval, it takes its time to set things up, conversations in different scenes seem to repeat themselves, which does stretch things out a bit. At times you just have to go with it, taking some of the turns as you find them. When it is funny though, it is very funny. 

In the end, it is an enjoyable work that shows promise from an up and coming writer, particularly from the comedy side. I really did want to love it, but there are a number of chinks in the armour of this black comedy that after a good start doesn't always keep the pace going. It is directed well by Andrew Deering, with some attention to detail, like Jamie's runners in the beginning, and the space is used fully, but there is the hope that it will breakout and become what it knows it wants, and can, be. For now, it's an enjoyable evening, with some very good oneliners.