They might not have had any spare cash when they were growing up, but Sarah and Jamie had quality tunes.
Anthem for Dissatisfaction is a music-fuelled trip back through the childhood, adolescence and young adulthood of these Irish twins – born 11 months apart and now on the cusp of entering their thirties – as they size up what influenced their attitudes and decisions: beats, parents, and their close sibling bond.
Premiering last night as part of Féile an Phobail, Gina Donnelly’s new play is up tempo from the start. Simon Sweeney bounds up to the stage and introduces us to Jamie. Soon we’re emersed in the sound of Reverend and The Makers. Emily Lamey makes an even more energetic entrance as older sister Sarah. The play’s soundtrack – thankfully available as a playlist on Spotify – grows up with the kids, moving into Oasis, before a late conversation to The Manics (and their first live gig in the Ulster Hall), Pulp, Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac and Sam Fender.
While poverty pervades every aspect of the siblings’ upbringing, it’s not the whole story. £50 school blazers stretch the household finances to breaking point as the working class children attend what feels like a grammar school for those with middle class incomes. Unemployment stretches things further, but never quite to breaking point. Unlike this week’s other premiere –
Three Pay Days – the family are never homeless, but the pressure is there and its impact on life expectancy is keenly felt. The parents sacrifice so their children have opportunities. But even more importantly, they offer them an avenue of shared expression, a deep appreciation for music, which provides an always-available sense of freedom even when times are hard.
The pair don’t lose heart in the face of fallen working class musical heroes. They double down, clinging onto the anthems that give them perspective and the energy to keep fighting. Academic achievement brings the chance to transcend class at university. Except that’s not how it works. Maybe down under is the answer, and that’s not a reference to
Men at Work!
Sweeney’s pent-up energy explodes every time Jamie dances on stage. The sweat pours off him for much of the 70-minute performance. Lamey is equally committed as sister and brother boogie in their bedroom, and race to get the best vantage point at concerts. But the larger-than-life choreography is not the only thing that makes Anthem for Dissatisfaction a rave production.
The sibling bond is remarkable. Sarah and Jamie are tender, teasing, protective, put each other first, and capable of ganging up together against their parents. They bicker but never come to blows. Sarah idolises her wee brother, argues with him, protects and treats him. She makes him cool, and he knows it. Jamie sees his sister as a mentor, his best friend. He can finish her sentences and also make plans for her future. Lamey and Sweeney achieve a level of connection that is rare to see and yet essential to make this play work.
Dave Marks’ sound design has made space for loud music and Donnelly’s smart dialogue. Mary Tumelty’s lighting adapts to the venue’s low ceilings and provides some beautiful spotlighting effects. Stage manager Sinéad Owens adapts on the fly, making a the effect of a wonky cable fade away on opening night without the audience noticing her speedy and decisive intervention. Together with the cast and directors Tony Devlin and Gina Donnelly, they have collectively created something incredibly special.
Anthem for Dissatisfaction is an upbeat, drug-free, celebration of music, companionship, and a family’s love. Brassneck Theatre’s production is
running until Sunday 11 August at Roddy McCorley’s on the Glen Road as part of Féile an Phobail (with a city centre
3pm matinee on Saturday 3 August at Ulster University Belfast Campus) before
decamping to the Smock Alley Theatre between Saturday 7 and Friday 13 September as part of Dublin Fringe Festival.
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