Absolut Fringe: Shane Byrne left his SLEEPING BAG in the car again…
Shane Byrne left his SLEEPING BAG in the car again…
I was unsure about this show before I went in. I knew that Shane had done a very successful show, Group Therapy For One both at last years Fringe and at this years Kilkenny Arts Festival but I had managed to miss it both times. But surely someone who does one man shows is a bit of an egotist? A bit full of himself, a bit arrogant? Well maybe he is, but I certainly didn’t see it in ‘Shane Byrne left his SLEEPING BAG in the car again…’
The set, a scouting campsite, was done so simply and wonderfully. There was a small bit of audience participation which was great, it made everything comfortable and personal and it felt like a dialogue for the rest of the show rather than a monologue. Shane Byrne is a naturally funny guy and engaging with it and he kept the audience entertained and enthralled recounting his scouting days – the best days of his life.
The website described the show like this:
Shane is a boy who is no longer a boy scout. He hasn’t climbed a mountain since he was 16. He can’t find his penknife. He seldom sees the sunrise and he’s feeling ging gang gooly gooly gooly gooly washed up. He needs to tell you about it. Last year’s Festival saw him take us to his family home and into his heart for his sold out, Spirit of the Fringe 2009 award nominated show — ‘Group Therapy for One’. Come with him into the old. The old that has to be talked about before he can be new. To do that, he needs you.
This show was thoroughly enjoyable and I’d highly recommend catching the last performance tonight in the Smock Alley Studio Theatre at 7.15pm. It lasts for 1 hour and tickets cost €14.00. You can book them on the website or buy one at the door.
