Review | Dublin Old School at the National Theatre

Over the course of a single night, Dublin Old School follows wannabe DJ Jason (Emmet Kirwan) as he staggers his way through various venues in the Irish capital. From house parties and clubs to a rave on the beach, we watch as he inhales and swallows every narcotic that comes into his path. The smell of sweat and stale beer, along with a thumping sound track, transports the audience back to a time of youthful, hedonistic abandon.

The most striking aspect of this production is the pace of the dialogue; it’s ferocious in its delivery and comes at you with the force of an express train. While certainly attention-grabbing in the beginning, it soon becomes exhausting and the thick Dublin accents make it easy to feel left behind. At times I had no idea what was going on, such was the speed of the text. But after my initial frustration, I found it easier to simply wait for the energy to pick me up again and carry me along.

Emmet Kirwan has to be the hardest working actor on any London stage at the moment. His physical energy, breath control, diction, verse speaking and rapping skills are extraordinary. His is a tour-de-force performance that’s breathtaking to behold.

Ian Lloyd Anderson is to be commended for the diversity of roles he takes on and it’s his role as the homeless heroin-addicted brother Daniel that gives Dublin Old School its emotional heart. The relationship between the brothers is so compelling that all other characters unfortunately lose our interest; in fact we end up simply waiting for the two of them to come face to face again. When they do, they do so with a beauty and sensitivity that’s charming.

This production is an assault on the senses that makes your heart pound and your head spin. Although frustrating due to the fast-paced delivery of so many words, you can’t help but sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Rating: 3/5

Dublin Old School is at the National Theatre until January 31. Click here for tickets.

Words by Matthew Hyde

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