Landmark Productions cannily aim this production at an under-served theatrical constituency: the mammy market. Take a first play from popular columnist Fiona Looney, add in well-known comediennes Deirdre O'Kane and Pauline McLynn (of Father Ted), and a bit of male totty in the form of Boyzone/ Corry veteran Keith Duffy, and you've got a dependable audience hit, which has recently announced an extension to its limited initial run. It's a passable first play with an engaging theme - intense female friendship - at its centre. However, Looney loses control of the societal issues she raises, and asks too much of her cast's limited dramatic abilities.
Jean (O'Kane) is a suburban supermum, finding fulfillment living for and through others, while Noirin (McLynn) channels a sense of boredom and dissatisfaction through wisecracks and over-identification with her virtuous best friend. Their equilibrium is shaken when Jean's former boyfriend Damien (Duffy) and his wife Orla (the excellent Dawn Bradfield) move into the cul-de-sac, conveniently unleashing a dark secret about the parentage of Jean's first child.
This provokes an interesting confrontation between Jean and Noirin about the responsibilities of friendship, and eventually leads to Noirin making a decisive life change. The play's apparent moral, however - that lying about past indiscretions is acceptable if it benefits one's family unit - seems unfortunate for a culture currently wracked by the exposition of decades of institutional deceit over clerical sex abuse.
Director Michael Caven works hard to create nuance in tone and pace, but O'Kane and particularly McLynn are stuck in the rhythms of stand-up comedy and out of their depth when called on to emote. Duffy, too, seems ill at ease, and is occasionally inaudible.
· Until December 7. Box office: 00 353 1 679 3323
