Intentions, Civic Theatre

What do you do when you find someone sleeping in your tent at a music festival? It's this moment that sets off writer and director Alice Lynch's play, Intentions. The word play of the title, against the actual meaning against the fact that they are, well, 'in tents' is an idea that crops up throughout. With humour, helped by some visual comedy, the reasons why each - Louise (Bernie O'Reilly), Emma (Catherine McKiernan Ryan) and Jenny (Aisling Soden) - have arrived in the camp site emerges. It also allows for a view of a music festival from an older perspective, rather than a younger view as put forward by last years Sex, Drugs and Tinned Ravioli. 

At times 'less is more' and here we have a set of three 'one man' tents side by side, with camping seats, and a Mickey Mouse towel draped over one. It's early in the evening, by music festival standards anyway, ten o'clock at night, when Louise discovers the sleeping body of the girl in the tent (Erin Lynch). Between wondering what to do with the girl, and getting to know each other - bonding, I guess - their own stories come out. There are some visual gags on display as well, with Soden showing a good grasp of dry, wry humour, as well a good stage presence, something she will no doubt develop. All four take to the task well, creating distinct characters, including Lynch, in her professional debut.

It is a pleasant, unpretentious, evening, with some good humour, and quirky moments. From the beginning when Louise enters, wellies on, jacket open and tin in hand, you know it is a music festival, although the buying of bottles of wine at it does make me wonder about the types of musical festivals I have been going to, as such luxuries tend to be missing (the glass bottles, not the wine). Despite these few niggles, it moves along at a good pace, hindered perhaps by some flatter, more literal lines, in Lynch's script, alongside the good responses and humour. 

Moogles as a group is somewhat different as well. Founded by Lynch, McKiernan Ryan and Deirdre O'Reilly, part of their being is to promote women's writing, particularly new writing, and encourage other women to write down their own stories as well, while also involving new people in their productions. To this end, from what is seen here, they are very successful - Erin Lynch is making her debut, as is Soden, and all acquit themselves well, while reminding us, thankfully, that there are many reasons for producing drama, theatre and the arts.