Reviews
Musical theatre meets political satire in this resourceful production by Volta. Written by Liam Hourican and David Crann, it traces the progress of Adams's political political career; his conversion from hard-core republicanism to democratic politics; from political violence to more holistic principles of mediation... the performance is structured around reworked versions of popular songs from established musicals.
The big ensemble numbers prove the greatest hits, thanks to cameos by Mary Lou McDonald, David Trimble and Jeffrey Donaldson, among others, and the appearance of Ian Paisley in larger-than-life-size puppet form. The impersonations are so good they are visually uncanny at times, while the humour is incisive. The only thing limiting this production, in fact, is its budget.
With proper technical resources and extra rehearsal time, Gerry and the Peace Process could be a viable, if unlikely, mainstream success.
Sarah Keating, IRISH TIMES, September 14th, 2007
Adapting hit songs from other musicals, this production by Volta is a very alternative and hilarious attempt at tracing Gerry Adams's meteoric rise from freedom fighter to international cult hero and peacemaker. It all begins in 1993, when John Hume calls over to Adams's house for some ice-cream, and the pair come up with a hairbrained scheme of making peace in Northern Ireland. The idea really takes off and, much to Martin McGuinness's frustration, Adams becomes an international star he even features on MTV's 'Cribs' show- which is shown on a large screen above the stage. The screen is utilised to show some of the hilarious exchanges between Adams, Bill Clinton and BBC Newsnight's Jeremy Paxman. The highlights are the musical collaborations performed by the excellent four piece band with Adams, McGuinness, Mary Lou McDonald, David Trimble and Jeffrey Donaldson amongst those on vocals.
Ian Paisley is missing for most of the play's Peace Process before he appears as a giant puppet billowing smoke from his ears in the corner of the stage.
While the real peace process has been dogged with stumbling blocks, tedious pauses and boring dialogue, this production is fast paced, entertaining and it is hard to see how it would not be a mainstream hit- especially with Irish Americans.
Conor McMorrow, SUNDAY TRIBUNE, 16/09/07
For a fine example of what the Fringe can do, look no further than Volta's contribution this year. The company's hilarious chepa shot of a musical uses vast resources of wit and imagination to overcome minimal means. The result is as funny a show about Republicanism as you are ever likely to see. Gerry and the Peace Process takes a radical approach to the business of writing a musical, combining the easy influence of the jukebox (reworkings of songs from every show from Grease to Don Giovanni supply the melodies) with barefaced pilfering (that endless resource for reimagining, The Wizard of Oz, gets mugged by Scooby Doo for one of the show's multiple endings).
But the result, somehow, is both original and refreshing. There is a whiff of undergrad 'revue', but that seems more a budgetary rather than an aesthetic, issue.
There is a parity of esteem when it comes to pillorying, with the surreal uptightness of David Trimble (Jim Roche) and his dancing Orangemen nicely contrasted with the psychically disturbed Adams (Liam Hourican, winningly giving Adams we know a new, boyish playfulness) and McGuinness (a cuddly, grey granny of a performance from Sean Duggan)- those double lives are clearly inflicting a psychic toll.
Roche is back again as Aongus O'Snodaigh, a veritable Noel Coward of fey Anglo pretensions, while Emily Kelly offers a ditzy Mary-Lou McDonnell, a neophyte Republican aroused by Gerry speaking in "Gaelic".
The show undeniably toes the acceptable line on Republicanism in the Pale, but there are enough surprises to ensure that the effect is wildly entertaining.
Luke Clancy, HERALD.AM, 20/09/2007