The Magic Glasses

Jonathan White and Helen Norton in The Magic Glasses. Image, Al Craig

***

There's a fad for reimagining theatrical museum pieces as contemporary plays. Works very much of their time framed in modern terms to supposedly speak to today. Thankfully director Conall Morrison resists the temptation, presenting George Fitzmaurice’s 1913 comedy The Magic Glasses exactly as intended. The production awash in period charm. Yet language makes for hard going, being embedded in old world datedness. Morrison squeezing physical performances for every ounce of expressiveness to compensate.

An obvious labour of love, the tale of matriarch Maineen (a superb Helen Norton) and shy Padden (an adorable Jonathan White) worried about the goings on of their bully son Jaymony (an impressive Ross Gaynor) sees them enlist the services of alleged miracle worker Mr Quille (a formidable Malcolm Adams). Norton and White’s The Tailor and Ansty style charm utterly irresistible as a gormless couple whose son hides in his loft with a pair of magic glasses. What they are and how he acquired them is nebulously told. But hints of fairies, witches, The Random and other spirited beings are never far away. With reprobate shenagaians and an unsatisfying earthquake of an ending issues aren’t resolved so much as walked away from. Morrison’s superb staging again compensating with strong visuals.

Ross Gaynor, Jonathan White, Helen Norton,Malcolm Adams in The Magic Glasses. Image, Al Craig

Like a demented jenga puzzle, designer Liam Doona gives a masterclass in maximising every millimetre of stage. Sinead Lawlor’s detailed costumes, along with Colm Maher’s nostalgic lights enhancing a sense of period. In which four strong performances wrestle with the challenges of Fitzmaurice’s dated script. If overall successful, strained transitions, rushed pacing and a lack of comic timing trip themselves up in places. The Magic Glasses visually gorgeous, but performatively, and comedically, in need of surer footing. Which might well evolve as the run progresses.

The Magic Glasses by George Fitzmaurice runs at Bewley’s Café Theatre until July 18.

For more information visit Bewley’s Café Theatre