THE CIRCLE MIGHT BE UNBROKEN

Director-actor Caolfinn Murphy on bringing Circle Mirror Transformation to Greystones

As Greystones Players bring Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Baker’s 2009 hit Circle Mirror Transformation to The Whale, director-actor Caolfinn Murphy takes us behind the scenes at rehearsals…

AI’m very excited to be directing for the first time with the Greystones Players, especially with the great Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker.

I was drawn to the play because of my own interest and curiosity in people and human behaviour. I’m a people watcher, and I love to observe people going about their daily lives. So I was naturally attracted to Circle Mirror Transformation, as it invites the audience to observe and reflect on ordinary people dealing with life and social situations.

The play is about five strangers who come together for a six-week drama class. They are the free-spirited Marty (Niamh Clancy) and her elusive husband James (Kevin Kiliher), the shy and vulnerable Schultz (Paul Ring), the bubbly extravert Theresa (myself) and the awkward teenager Lauren (Katie Lacey-Curtis). Through a series of drama exercises, the characters go on a journey of discovery and evolution. Along the way relationships blossom and break down, people get hurt and embarrassed, revelations are made, and they all learn to really listen to one another. It’s a fascinating slice of life taking place over six weeks.

At first glance, Annie Baker’s writing seems so simple, but it’s rich, delicately complex, witty and smart. She finds great moments of comedy in human interactions, and her handling of her characters is tender and warm. Each character is well developed and has real depth and emotional life. We see how they handle the awkwardness when first meeting a new group, their moments of joy when they succeed at something and their pain when things go wrong.

We are also left with a sense of hope; life and its changes can be hard, but we’ll always find a way to change with it and start again. http://greystonesguide.ie/splash-of-colour-kids-art-2024/What is so special about this play is its relatability. Most if not all the audience will identify with at least one of the characters, as well as the situations they face. It’s a heartwarming play that’s both funny and entertaining.

After the positive feedback that Greystones Players received for our staging of The Long Christmas Dinner by Thornton Wilde in the round (I played the part of Leonora), I was inspired to stage this production in the same way.

So, once again the action will take place in the pit with the audience surrounding the cast, so the audience will really get a sense that they are listening and watching in on something. It’s a unique and special feeling for the audience and cast to be so intimate. This doesn’t mean the audience will be called on to participate in the show, but they’ll be in a position where they can feel a real sense of connection with the characters.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the cast. They’ve been so committed to this production from day one, as well as to bringing these complex and interesting characters to life. It’s so exciting to see their characters evolve and develop through the rehearsal period.

I’d also like to thank the wonderful staff at the Whale Theatre, who have been so helpful and supportive with this production.

You can grab your tickets for The Greystones Players’ production of Circle Mirror Transformation at The Whale from Thursday, April 24th to Sunday 27th right here: https://whaletheatre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873653169