The best thing about the Irish is that we can laugh at ourselves.
From the old country romanticism often hijacked by Tinseltown to the characters we know in every village, town and city up and down the country - nothing is off the cards.
And that world view was all played out in its legendary glory as Stones in His Pockets returned to Belfast’s Lyric Theatre 25 years on from its opening.
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Set in rural Ireland on the set of a Hollywood blockbuster, the show takes us on a rollercoaster journey through the lives of film extras Charlie Conlon and Jake Quinn.
They and about a dozen other roles were expertly played by Gerard McCabe and Shaun Blaney, who slide in and out of character with astounding ease and some very clever choreography.
The story is ultimately one of tragedy but I promise you’ll leave the auditorium grinning from ear to ear.
For while a very poignant message pierces its core, this perfect medley of the old world and the new leaves you more laughing-crying than actually blubbering.
Slap stick, reflection and good old fashioned fun were all wrapped up with the rather surprising guest appearance of some of our most famous faces, who no doubt will empathise with the lads’ journey.
But even the brightness of those stars couldn’t outshine the men of the night.
Director Matthew McElhinney did an extraordinary job delivering his vision of Marie Jones’ play where the extras become the stars - and the stars the extras.
Gerard McCabe and Shaun Blaney certainly deserve their place beside Liam Neeson, Ciarán Hinds, Adrian Dunbar, Conleth Hill, James Nesbitt, Ian McElhinney, Sean Campion, Kerri Quinn and Derry Girls stars Siobhán McSweeney, Saoirse Monica Jackson, Ian McElhinney, Tara Lynne O’Neill and Tommy Tiernan.
What a way to kick off the new theatre season after the years we’ve just had - you’d honestly be mad to miss it - I might go again!
Stones In His Pockets is on at The Lyric until Sunday, July 3.
Tickets available online at www.lyrictheatre.co.uk, from the Lyric Theatre Box Office or by calling 028 90381081. Follow @LyricBelfast for updates.
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