‘Dog ear’ refers to an accidental folded corner next to Marty Gleeson’s work in her art school showcase. (Yes, of course she went to art school. Though as she explains, art school in Limerick is for all the same kids who had a smoking area outside their school disco, just the ones who could draw a horse.) The lesson: don't leave anything to chance - they'll notice.
And so with this show, everything is very deliberate and performed with conviction. There is no “oh I need some stronger material there” or “haha I never know how that bit’s going to go”. That's not to say every part of this show fully lands with the audience, by any means. But it's the show as it was intended. To see a performer commit to the bit, to the extent she does in particular when playing out a funeral scene (and if you're trying to guess how, you're wrong) may be unrivalled at this year's festival. It pays off with what may be its most brilliant extended joke. No spoilers.
