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“Little Gem” – Winner 2009

May 21, 2009 by Carol Tambor

Never has a family pulled me into its embrace as quickly as the three generations of this Dublin family.

Elaine Murphy, “Little Gem’s” playwright, has worked in a women’s health center and listened very closely.  Her characters are an amalgam of stories she heard, and very obviously, empathized with.

This supportive team of daughter, mother and grandmother are real—and fascinating in their approach to their problems and hopes.

Photo credits: Futoshi Sakauch

Paul Meade, the director, has pulled extraordinary performances from an  expert cast:  Sarah Greene plays daughter, Amber, with insouciant charm and grit; mother, Hilda Fay, dares to hope for a new love with an imperfect, but caring man after a disastrous marriage to Amber’s father; grandmother, Anita Reeves, tempers her quotidian complaints with an overwhelming love and appreciation for her terminally ill husband of forty years.

Reviews in Edinburgh were consistent in their praise, including in The Guardian, The Scotsman, British Theatre Guide, The Evening Standard and others.

“Little Gem” performed to sold out audiences at The Flea Theater in January, 2010.  Reviews were consistently strong, including theNew York Times.

After the New York run, “Little Gem” went back to Ireland, playing for sold out audiences at The Abbey Theatre in Dublin, then on to  an 8 week tour all-Ireland tour.

LITTLE GEM by Elaine Murphy continues to delight audience around the world.  It played at The Flea Theater in January 2010 to wonderful reviews, notably from The NY Times.  After sold out runs in Ireland, London and Paris—Little Gem returned to The Olympia Theater in its hometown of Dublin, before setting out on an extended  tour of Australia and New Zealand late in 2010.  Very busy year for first time playwright, Elaine Murphy.

Carol was fortunate to be in Dublin for the opening of Elaine’s second play, “Shush” at the venerable Abbey Theatre.  A huge salute to Ms. Murphy!

The Shortlist for the 2009 Award included:

  • “Crush” by Paul Stanton
    • A marriage teeters on the brink because of many self doubts, and the intrusion of another woman—in the husband’s brain and computer.
  • “Home of the Wriggler” by Stan’s Cafe
    • The future of England is looking bleak: plant closures, job losses, and generators powered by bicycles for any electricity.
  • “Midsummer” by David Grieg
    • A play with songs which romp through the streets of Edinburgh.  A love poem for two lovers and their home.
Carol Tambor

Carol Tambor publishes a monthly newsletter, which announces worthy shows coming to New York, along with occasional information about London theatre and, of course, the Edinburgh Fringe.

www.caroltambor.com

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