Review by Jo Tomalin
ForAllEvents.com
Ronan Dempsey’s Performance is Riveting!
Mr Bergmann is famous…as Ireland’s most famous unidentified man! Based on a true story, Ronan Dempsey of Nth Degree Productions, Ireland performs this new solo play. Dempsey is a highly skilled physical actor who brings his characters to life with delicious verve and singularity. The main character Dempsey plays is someone helping Mr Bergmann. There is a mix of the macabre with furtive humor in the dialogue and Dempsey is masterful at this genre of theatre, speaking with a lilting Irish accent and topping punch lines with the right balance of vocal emphasis and physical glee.
Dempsey talks to Mr Bergmann at the end of his infamous and curious life as if he is a friend. In fact, he may be Bergmann’s only friend given his circumstances. The news reported the true facts that years ago this gentleman had spent several days in Sligo erasing his identity and his body was found on a desolate shoreline. Dempsey plays the embalmer, trying to make a legacy with sharing this story as he chats with his latest client, Bergmann completely covered in a sheet, at first. This is fascinating stuff! And Dempsey ably leads us with energy and sensitivity into his world.
This show is crafted well and the theatricality is vivid. Brief flashbacks fill in their lives but the main action is the here and now. Using masks and effective transitions of place and time, with economy of movement Dempsey changes his body into the embalmer with a slight leaning forward, wildly expressive face and piercing eyes. Much of the humor comes from the way he speaks to Bergmann regaling him with folklore about nearby places, and tells him – and us – about how Irish nicknames are created. Balmy (his nickname) is an engaging character and it’s fascinating to be in his presence, in his domain, hearing about another side of life as we know it!
The story is undoubtedly interesting, mystical with a realistic yet poetic lyrical delivery of the embalmer’s inner musings that draws us in. Lively and endearing with a snappy wit Dempsey’s character talks using precise and deliberate gestures. He moves lithely like a stealthy weasel, and when he leans against a wall his body is angular and insect like!
The appropriately quirky atmosphere of the stage set, quick costume changes,and dynamite acting result in a very strong performance and outstanding delivery from Dempsey, with attention to detail, every moment is finessed. This lugubrious location holds its own secrets and it is the perfect setting. The play builds to a magnificent monologue performed with raw emotional depth and heatfelt commitment – we all have secrets it seems! Impactful and poignant to the end! Do not miss this new play, it’s 4 Stars Highly Recommended!
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Jo Tomalin studied with Jacques Lecoq in Paris. She completed the two year professional course at Ecole Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq, Paris, France, where she also completed the Laboratoire du Mouvement (LEM) scenography, mask and movement course.
Originally from England, Jo is currently based in San Francisco, where she reviews Theatre & Dance for www.ForAllEvents.com & www.FringeReview.co.uk. She is a Professor in the School of Theatre & Dance at San Francisco State University where she teaches performance subjects and directs MainStage plays. She also works in the performing arts field as a freelance movement & voice specialist, director + actor. Jo’s play “Jessica” which she also directed was produced at the Fringe of Marin – a One Act New Play Festival in Northern California.
Jo Tomalin graduated with a degree from London University’s Laban Centre Teaching Credential program in Modern Dance, Art of Movement & Choreography; studied Classical Acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), London; completed a teacher’s diploma (ATCL) in Voice and Acting from Trinity College of Dramatic Art, London; and studied classical ballet for 12 years.
Jo also holds a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Instructional Design for Online Learning from Capella University, MN, and a Master of Science degree in Educational Technology from Boise State University in the USA.
