Our Brothers in Cloth

We have a very peculiar relationship with the Catholic Church in Ireland. For me, when I was growing up, it held so much power that I felt controlled by it even after becoming an atheist, and it only lessened a minimal amount when I finally emigrated.

Priests are highly respected within the community. As a child, I remember adults tripping over themselves and getting into competition with one another trying to win the praises of the priest, like children in competition with one another to be mom or dad's favourite.

"Our Brothers in Cloth" opens with Alan given an interview and looking back on the events of everything. Allen's family is masking their grief over the loss of Allen's brother. Alan is unemployed and is unsuccessfully trying to curb a drinking problem. Their lives are turned upside down when an old neighbour who emigrated to England comes back for a visit and shares a dark secret: Father Mulvaney, who was the heart and soul of the community, abused Alan's brother, and may have been the reason he took his own life.

Alab's world is turned upside down, and he does everything in his power to get the truth out, but his declarations fall on deaf ears. No one wants a bad word said on Father Mulvaney. His succesor, Father O'Donovan, makes promises to talk to the Bishop about Alan's claims, but refuses to disclose the answers, instead siding the church and "all the good they do".

It is a poignant piece discussing the silence of the Irish people when it comes to clerical abuse. For my generation, it is a little easier to talk about, but the shame is still there, and the church still has a grip on Irish lives.

It was a heartbreaking piece and a very important story. I will say, though, that the script needs a little tightening up. Not a rewrite, exactly, but a small edit to make things as smooth as possible.

I felt that at during some moments of the play that the cast seemed a little uncomfortable with each other. Perhaps I was picking up on something that wasn't there, but it did pull me out of the show. Even when characters are in uncomfortable moments with each other, there should be a familiarity and almost contradictory comfortableness with the uncomfortable moments.

Overall, it's a great drama, and I would love to see it again as it develops!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Seen any good dramas at the fringe? Let us know your suggestions in the comments, and remember to have a fantastic fringe! 😁

Love,

Tony x