James Patrick Whelan, the real-life subject of Pierre Brault's one-man show, was an Irish immigrant to Confederation-era Canada who, in 1868, became the last man to be executed by hanging in that country when he was convicted of the murder of fellow Irishman Thomas D'Arcy McGee.
It is widely believed that McGee, a well-known journalist and politician and one of the leading "fathers of Confederation", was plotted against by the Fenians, the radical group who plotted to recover Ireland from Britain by first conquering Canada, and who resented McGee's integrationist stance. According to Brault, however, the evidence against Whelan was flimsy, and he ended up taking the fall for a Fenian plot in which he had no involvement.
This is a fascinating period of history, but the Canadian writer/performer's approach to his story undermines its potential for gripping drama. Brault argues that Whelan was wrongfully convicted, but illuminates little of the underlying political and social issues. Setting most of the action at Whelan's trial provides a good platform for Brault's facility with imitations - he portrays some 10 witnesses in quick succession - but lands him straight in the predictable genre of courtroom drama. Brault's point, that the Canadian justice system at the time was politically manipulated, is not complex enough to hold our attention.
John Koensgen's production is sophisticated in its simplicity, with Brault performing on a bare stage with only one chair. Brault is a charismatic performer with a resonant speaking voice, but he is prone to caricature. We end up longing for a more profound look at this little-known time, and a more extended character study. We never meet McGee, for example, and he sounds the most interesting of the lot.
While it is exciting in principle to see Irish-themed international work imported to the country, local producer Richard Wakely has done the play few favours by booking it into big stages - its intensity is far more suited to studio spaces.
· Until March 6. Box office: 00 353 1 885 2622. Then touring.
