A living history of a tall tales town

This living, breathing account of the people of Drogheda is heartbreaking and hilarious

Emma Somers

The Far Side
Light House Cinema
*****
James is right-handed but left-footed, and he wears his watch on his right hand. Ged has his own teeth. Elma used to dance once or twice a week, but now she’d be lucky to dance once or twice a year. Vivienne regrets stamping on her brother’s toe after he’d had a nail removed.
When John’s father told him Joseph Stalin was dead, he thought Joseph Stalin was a neighbour. Róisín has a normal-sized nose and a normal-sized mouth. And Gerry is a man in his 60s who has never been on the Far Side.
In a project directed by Feidhlim Cannon, seven Drogheda natives have, over the past two years, put together this “living history” of the town. Part documentary, part performance, part theatre, it is by turns hilarious and heartbreaking, simple and surreal.
In the words of Róisín (and Christina Aguilera), it is beautiful in every single way. Now take another bow.
Ends Sept 18