Running away with the Circus

Jenny McGovern


Roll up, Roll up! The Circus is coming to town. It’s a Gonzo production so you can expect clowns of a different calibre.
The Circus of Perseverance, a play by Philip Doherty scrutinises the current state of Ireland. Set in Dublin in the midst of the recession, the Circus  explores seven interweaving stories of city life, touching on emigration, debt, abortion, racism, greed and much, much more. As always Philip Doherty’s writing blisters with relevance and his characters resonate with the audience. Shane Carroll takes on the role of ringmaster, setting the scene for the six talented actors who play almost 50 characters including Larry, the troubled taxi driver; angry and trapped in negative equity Frances; tormented debt collector Mickey; and sultry Spanish tourist Isabella.
The audience are in for a rollercoaster of emotions in this two hour show. Gonzo veterans, Kim McCafferty and Shane Carroll, join recent Dublin Gonzo-ites Rex Ryan, Andy Kellegher, Cara Christie, Amy Kellett and Patrick McDonnell for Cavan’s debut performance.

Fringe play
Rex Ryan, son of the late legendary 2FM Radio host Gerry, plays several roles in the Circus. He became involved in The Gonzo Theatre last year after meeting Shane Carroll at The Gaiety School of Acting. He tells the Celt: “I was on my summer break from my first year of drama school and Shane, who I was in The Gaiety school with, told me that The Gonzo were holding auditions for a fringe play, which was actually the original Circus of Perseverance. I liked the sound of it so I went to audition and ended up getting the part.”
Since then Rex has worked on a couple of other projects with Philip Doherty, the most notably, “The Birthday Man” which premiered to a full house in the Town Hall last August. Speaking of his relationship with Phil he enthuses: “I think Phil is a very talented writer. He has an intense passion in the work he produces and a truly original voice.
“We worked well together from the start and had similar outlooks on the work we wanted to create and how we wanted to go about it.”

Wackiest show
The Circus of Perseverance marks Andy Kellegher’s debut with The Gonzo Theatre, the self confessed “accidental actor” has just returned from Belfast, where he had been filming the fourth series of the critically acclaimed 'Game of Thrones’. Andy landed the role with the Gonzo by chance, his flatmate was originally pencilled in for the project but due to a clashing of dates was unable to commit to the Circus. Andy was quick to snap up the role.  “The script for the Circus of Perseverance was in the house,” he tells the Celt.
“I picked it up and I couldn’t put it down - I thought it was one of the best things I’ve ever read I said to my housemate, 'Tell them (The Gonzo) I’m available and I’d love to work on it.’ Philip saw me for an audition and luckily enough I got the part - I’m delighted to be on board. “It’s definitely the wackiest show that I’ve been involved in, it’s like holding a magnifying glass up to Dublin and exposing it to the world - warts and all. The crazineess and nuttiness of the world all packed into a two hour show.”
For two nights only The Circus of Perseverance pitches its tent in the Town Hall, Cavan Thursday, November 21 and Friday, November 22. Show begins at 8pm. Tickets €15.
For bookings call or text Paula McQuillan 087 7665329. Tickets also available on the door.