Rose+Bud – one teen’s transition into student life and acceptance by themselves and others (Commedia of Errors)

Bud wants to be “born again” as Rose. He lives with his catastrophising mother in Ballynahinch. But the bright lights of a fresh start at Derry’s Magee campus beckon. Can this transition into student life offer Rose acceptance and a chance to blossom? Can Bud ever really be left behind?

Rose Coogan and Conor Cupples play the two sides of Rose’s identity, alter egos at loggerheads with each other for much of the play as they overthink everything and verbalise their inner debates. The two actors also step into the shoes of a myriad of other friends and family. Coogan developed Rose+Bud’s autobiographical script through the Lyric Theatre’s 2021 New Playwright’s programme, a scheme which sadly seems now to be defunct.

The script and direction leans into a constant stream of comedy, with the physicality of the bickering pair backed up with Garth McConaghie’s fabulous soundtrack that accents specific lines of dialogue and makes the whole production unusually playful rather than worthy. Another unusual aspect is the questioning yet accepting maternal figure who isn’t totally comfortable but puts love above all else. Frankly, it’s a relief to have a parental ally portrayed on stage rather than the more common homophobic and transphobic stereotypes.

The audience cackle at many one-liners that zing out from the overly dense scrip. Some of the minor characters work better (fellow-student Clodagh) than others (beefcake Conor McDriscoll). Endings are notoriously difficult for autobiographical standup comedy and plays. Rose+Bud finishes abruptly, but with a final line that pleasingly suggests a new equilibrium has been found.

Commedia of Errors was founded a decade ago by Clare McMahon and Benjamin Gould (who directs Rose+Bud). Its portfolio of work straddles a number of strands: riffing off Shakespearian works, using Commedia dell’arte techniques (most obviously wooden masks), and exploring transitions (both youthful and in more senior years).

Rose+Bud is a coming-to-terms-with story rather than a coming-of-age tale. Coogan and Cupples are well matched as the different sides of the one protagonist. The balance of being vulnerable and exposed gently shifts over the hour-long performance as Rose is challenged to stop lying to herself and others.

Having debuted in Dublin Theatre Fringe and just finished its run at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast, Rose+Bud is heading up to The Playhouse in Derry on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 October. Photo credit: Ewa Figaszewska

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