Some infinities are bigger than other infinities – John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
I went to a play last March in the local arts centre here in Newbridge. It’s called the Riverbank Arts Centre and it’s an intimate setting for the presentation of theatre and other shows.
My daughter Emma and myself went along to see the newest production from Kildare Youth Theatre which was called ‘Hospital Food’. The play was written by renowned Irish writer Eugene O’Hare and its setting is a room in a hospital where young cancer patients hang out to be away from the intensity of their treatment and where they seek refuge from all the worried faces of the adults in their lives.
The play was directed by Peter Hussey – I should say renowned director, arts mentor and all round very talented person Peter Hussey.
It was another stunning production from Peter and his talented young actors and actresses.
As part of the arts show that I produce and present on local radio station Kfm, I sometimes do these slots called ‘Driving Home from The Gig” (TM) where I capture what I thought about the gig immediately afterwards on my zoom recorder. I usually need a partner in crime to do this with me because otherwise I would just be talking at myself. Emma volunteered this time which was perfect as she would be watching and reviewing her peers as all the cast are in and around her age of 18.
We did not know the storyline before we went along but we knew the subject matter would be challenging in general as it was dealing with cancer – something which our family has been touched by.
I have had this “Driving Home From The Gig” on my laptop since 13 March last. I wasn’t sure I was ever going to let it see the light of day. I wasn’t sure that people needed to hear someone getting upset over cancer.
But upon reflection I think that the cast, crew, director and writer deserve to hear how their wonderful piece of work, of craftsmanship, of genius handling of a difficult subject moved someone to tears for the right reasons.
So below I am sharing the Hospital Food 2015 “Driving Home From The Gig”.
Oh and if you feel moved to go and see this play well you can see it again in the Riverbank Arts Centre as part of a double header on 14 August 2015. Don’t miss this piece of theatre……. it will make you think, it will make you reflect…. it might even change you!
“Grief does not change you. It reveals you” – John Green
An Irish Girl Interrupted 