It's Belfast, 1970, with two boys at play: Mojo and Mickybo. They live on different streets, and following a visit to the cinema to see Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, their imaginations are caught and fingers become guns. This is their world, but have to keep on eye out for 'Fuck Face and Gank the Wank', not to mention Ripsyourballs. But while they play, the adult world is having troubles of their own, personal and political, where soon the word 'troubles' will take on a different meaning. Owen McCafferty focuses on the boys world of play and imagination, but subtly shows us the world that surrounds them in all its crazyness and ugliness in On Q Theatre Company's production.In this two handed play, the two actors play the other roles, creating them with a pose, stance or accent, be they adults, parents or other kids. There is a sense of caricature in some instances, but then at one point O'Rourke must bounce between two spots to take on the remarks of the smoking women that Mojo interacts with, and who feel there are a lot of cowboys around. The turns of phrases are wonderful and truly evokes that stage of growing up and what was important, and the things we probably didn't see at that age. There are wonderful moments: the cinema workers, going for the 'header' record and arguing over who wants to be Butch.
Paul Cullen (Mojo) brings a lot of charm to Mojo, giving him a feeling of being younger than Mickybo, played by Brian O'Rourke. Cullen's drunk father impression, who wants to 'fuck off to Austrialia', is particularly good and held back. The style of delivery of the narrator feels larger than life, like the voice over on a movie only not so serious. As they move around and scale the two level box in the centre of the stage, with 'Brit's Out' and 'No Surrender' spray painted on it alongside a poster for the film, their lives are played out, with the large set piece never getting in the way of the action or actors, always lit well by Ciaran Cullen's design, particularly the blood red of the fire, under the direction of Carol Ryan.
On the night, the energy felt a bit down as the duo started, but as the evening progressed it took off more. What it does show, and the actors conveyed well, was that sense of innocence when growing up, the adult world something that you interact with, but not as important. But with time and the divide, it is clear that all will not remain as innocent, as the language and names change, the violence creeps in, bringing Mojo and Mickybo into a changed world and allegiances.
Runs until 18th April
Venue: Civic Theatre, Tallaght
Cast: Mojo - Paul Cullen; Mickybo - Brian O'Rourke
Writer: Owen McCafferty
Director: Carol Ryan
Sound and Lighting Design: Ciaran Cullen
Lighting Operator: Jim Keegan
Production Company: On Q Theatre Co.
Photo Courtesy of The Civic Theatre
