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. Livinbg with a catastrophising mother in Ballynahinch, 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 tend towards a constant stream of comedy, with the physicality of the bickering pair backed up with Garth McConaghie’s fabulous (and often flippant) 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 easier and all too familiar homophobic and transphobic stereotypes.

The audience cackle at the one-liners zinging out from the overly dense scrip. Some of the minor characters are better defined (fellow-student Clodagh) than others (beefcake Conor McDriscoll). Endings are notoriously difficult for autobiographical standup comedy and plays, but this production nails it. Rose+Bud finishes abruptly, but with a great final line that pleasingly suggests a new hope-filled 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). This production leans into the latter, but benefits from Gould’s ability to send up a serious subject without losing the integrity of the message. 

Rose+Bud is a coming-to-terms-with story rather than a coming-of-age tale. Cupples and Coogan 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 a 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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