Spokesong

The Storm Theatre continues its 2003-2004 season withSpokesong by Stewart Parker with music by Jimmy Kennedy and lyrics by Stewart Parker. Written during the height of the Irish “troubles” of the 1970s, Spokesong’s themes have unfortunately become all too relevant in contemporary times. In its original production, the show served as disarmingly fresh, clear, non-sectarian look at the choices ordinary people face in the extremely violent and complex political battleground of Northern Ireland.

Today, in the post 9/11 world, with terrorism and terror alerts part of daily life, Spokesong poses the question “How is one to live in a world where things are blowing up around you?” Frank, the seemingly naive bicycle loving protagonist, believes that one must struggle to make a better world, no matter how absurd that may seem. He believes he can make his civil war torn town better through a civic plan involving bicycles. Julian, his nihilistic photojournalist brother, finding this outlook comical, merely enjoys chronicling what he sees as the “demise of civilization”. The young teacher, Daisy, disheartened by the hatred and violence, simply wants to just run away from it all, and move to London.

Storm Artistic Director Peter Dobbins directs a cast that includes Jill Anderson, Colleen Crawford, Ethan Flower, Robin Haynes, Paul Jackel, and Michael Mendiola.

There is no performance Monday, February 23rd.