MÁM REVIEW - a magical performance of intense physicality

The performance of MÁM by Teaċ Damsa at Coláiste Mhuire in Mullingar last night captured the attention of the audience with its intense physicality and the athletic, as well as the dance, ability of the cast.

At times the dancers made this reporter think of those tiny flies that can hop from one place to another, seemingly in defiance of the laws of physics. Like those tiny insects, the performers were almost at once in two different parts of the stage.

Their journeys from one spot to the other weren’t, of course, bypassing nature and time; instead their movements were clear to see and a joy to watch.

They must be made of rubber and magic, such was their ability to move with that level of grace and elegance, while interpreting the music and telling a story.

What that story is I cannot tell you. I don’t know. It was beyond me. But that matters little. You can enjoy this show by taking in the movement and the music, and in the appreciation of the fact that such a performance is available here, and we don’t have to go to one of the main cities to see something of this calibre.

Michael Keegan-Dolan is the creator of MÁM, and writing in the tour programme he says it was “built around the musical heritage of the West Kerry concertina player, Cormac Begley, the stargaze ensemble and 12 freelance dancers from four different continents”.

“I hope our audience will enjoy the show, created in a spirit of generosity and collaboration.”

I also hope that - and if you can go to the second night of the performance, today at 8pm, please do. There are still tickets available.

The show is presented by Mullingar Arts Centre - call 044 934 7777.

- By Brian O'Loughlin, editor, Westmeath Examiner

VOX POP - WHAT LAST NIGHT'S AUDIENCE SAID ABOUT THE SHOW