Published: Wednesday, 24th February, 2010 5:00pm

Gonzo delivers all things weird and wonderful - as promised!

Bizarre, crazy, eccentric, weird, non-conformist, hyperactive, off-beat and left-of-centre was the shopping list of qualities award-winning playwright, Philip Doherty, planned to have on offer for patrons of Gonzo Theatre. With his opening play, Tales From The Heart And Other Body Parts, he delivered just that in spades.

Just on time for valentines day, all things love and lust-related were brought before full-house audiences in the new venue in the loft of the Imperial Bar on Cavan's Main Street.

A first date, an internet encounter, marriage, scoring, TFW (suffice to say it's an acronym for areas of interest to hormonal teenagers), love at first sight and zoophilia - all the aforementioned were there, and lots more.

With graphic language and vulgar references, it was a 'gonzo' style play right enough. Not for the prudish or conservative, the script collided with taboo subjects at every corner, leaving the audience more inclined to explode with shocked laughter than have time to think about blushing.

"Just because I'm in Cavan I don't see why I should hold back," commented Philip afterwards.

He was delighted with the audience reaction on the opening night, not to mention the standing ovations on Friday and Saturday. As writer, and co-director with Kevin O'Connor, Philip paid tribute to the cast for bringing his script to life.

"There was a big difference between Mysterious Ways, which was a one-man show, and this one which had 19 people involved. I am delighted with them. We had one month's intensive rehearsals, and for a good few of the actors it was their first time on the stage. They were born for it. I have to say thank you to them all for bringing my stories to life."

Kurt Cusack, Trina McCann, Shane O'Connor, Cillian O'Connor, Leah McDwyer, Daragh Brady, Niall Lynch, Phil Gilbride, Andrea Donohoe, Catherine Mohan, Daragh Slack, Alan D'Arcy, Sinead Prunty, Ray Fitzsimons and Deirdre O'Reilly were, indeed, excellent in their various roles. The experience and formal training of Niall, Phil and Deirdre shone brilliantly, while others upheld the standard impressively.

Unusual in its presentation, the play was neither a one nor a three-act, but rather an eight-chapter production. Each of the scenes from this fairytale with a twist was divided by a live visual artist painting the backdrop for the following scene before the audience's very eyes, À la Rolf Harris.

Philip told that the idea was inspired by Ukraine's Got Talent winners and Philip's father, Mel Doherty. ("My dad used to sing a Percy French song, Phil the Fluter's Ball, and while he was singing it he'd do a sketch of Percy French," says Philip.)

Artists Noelle Slack, Sally O'Dowd, Nora McGuigan, Eustelle Clerkin and Caroline Fay showed great talent and flair, presenting speedy and skilled visual surprises between scenes.

Credit is also due to all the crew, who ensured that the story unfolding seamlessly and with an air of professionalism.

Remarkably, the entire production "was done on a budget of nothing" but, above all, Philip described it as "great fun".

And Gonzo Theatre has continued as it started. Whiskey You're The Divil performed in the venue last Thursday. With Shane O'Carroll on vocals, Daragh Slacke on banjo, Stevie O'Brien on uilleann pipes, Peter Sheridan on guitar and Alan D'arcy on cajon, Whiskey You're The Divil's onstage energy is unrivalled. Table service during the performance added to the atmosphere and the craic was good both on and off the stage.

With more drama, comedy and music lined up for Gonzo Theatre and the ethos being one of non-conformity, anything that Philip hasn't already delivered in the first two shows is surely in the post.