The Haircut
- Chris O'Rourke
- Mar 31
- 2 min read
***
A revival of Wayne Jordan and Tom Lane’s delightful fairytale from 2019, The Haircut introduces secretive king, Labhraidh Loingseach, who gets his hair cut annually by a barber who is immediately killed. That way they can never reveal the King has donkeys ears hidden beneath his long mane. His kingdom having run out of barbers, a lottery now determines the King’s latest hairdresser. This year it’s Kwaku O’Brien, a boy with a flare for kitsch, a dislike of football, and who dares to be different. Whose mother, Trina, convinces the king not to kill her son but to trust him not to tell. Only Kwaku, struggling to keep the King’s secret, whispers it to a willow tree leading to revelations and consequences. A celebration of acceptance and difference, of embracing change and of not imposing secrets on the young, The Haircut’s inclusive, feel-good message is hugely uplifting. But, as in 2019, its word heavy script struggles beneath its literary weight, with jokes catering mostly for adults. The result a piece of storytelling theatre light on theatricality, yet whose tale is genuinely enjoyable.
Kwaku Fortune in The Haircut. Image, Ros Kavanagh
Suitable for older children, The Haircut is modestly updated to reflect contemporary issues. Jordan’s direction lacking its characteristic theatricality, leaving an engaging Kwaku Fortune as Narrator relying on his warm, commanding presence and a handful of visual flourishes. A stark contrast with 2019 where a flamboyant TKB was more a master of ceremonies than narrator, embodying the play’s spirit of kitsch. Here, Sarah Bacon’s neat, grey suit suggests a member of the King’s entourage. Slightly rushed at times, delivery often resembles an audiobook, which risks younger audience members zoning out as scenes overplay their prose and overstay their welcome. Lane’s music and sound effects lending proceedings a children’s storytelling vibe. Music, played live by Paddy Nolan, Lioba Petrie and Berginald Rash, beautifully executed.
Like the ancient story it tells, The Haircut’s message of live and let live is timeless. It might plod at times, but the charismatic Fortune ensures young and old alike are entertained and come away wiser.
The Haircut by Wayne Jordan and Tom Lane, runs at The Ark until April 6.
For more information, visit The Ark
