Newry Drama Festival Forge Ahead with 'Can You Ever Forgive Me'

: Sheila Mitchell/ Newry Drama Festival; Category: Arts, TV and Entertainment; Published: 27 March 2025

Lee Israel and Jack Hock in Can You Ever Forgive Me

Night three of Newry Drama Festival saw Rosemary Drama Group perform 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?' By Ian McDonald.

Adjudicator Geoff O’Keeffe, in his opening comments described the play as a “ whirlwind journey with writer and prolific literary forger, Lee Israel”. He considered the production of this play, based on real life events as a “ beautifully conceived design which speaks to the content of the play”.

He felt the setting with its different levels provided opportunities which at times were not utilised to full effect, with instead a lot of straight line work at the front of the stage. The inclusion of the typewriters was great.

Can You Ever Forgive Me from Rosemary Drama Group

The lighting was considered well thought through although not always “fully fluid”. The sound was well chosen and pitched giving a sense of the New York cityscape and the sound of the flies was excellent.

Costume was very appropriate and well thought through. The main strength in the production was the relationship between Lee and Jack. They bounced off each other and “ they listened to each other - we understood their relationship”. O’Keeffe thought the court scene worked very well - It’s set up, the energy brought to it. He did feel there was a need for “more fluidity from scene to scene in order to bring us through the story”. He felt that the actors need to rise more to the theatricality of its concept… its pace could be developed and at times it felt a little too even. Actors at times did not stay in character going on and off stage.

However the adjudicator believed there was much that worked. He felt the role of Lee Israel was a difficult one in terms of time on stage. She worked well in dialogue with other characters, though tended to rush through direct addresses to the audience, however did really well in the role. Jack Hock really “committed to the characterisation and found a lot of fun in it” Marjorie Gottleib had great attitude and her court testimony was well delivered. The librarian created a personable character and his “j’accuse!” In court was a great moment. Judge Helen Sweet gave a well judged characterisation. Louise Brooks showed a great sense of self. Mercedes displayed good physicality. Mrs Gersowitz looked great in the role. Dorothy Parker had lovely physicality and vocal delivery with very good stage presence. Elaine Carrington delivered well. Noel Coward/Jaime had good presence. Andrew Weiner , good work with super typing skills. Lloyd Epstein brought very good energy to the stage and Probation 1 and 2 rounding out the ensemble did very well.

O’Keeffe concluded “ Rosemary Drama Group brought us an aesthetically pleasing presentation. The setting was so clever with such an imaginative response to the script. The director and cast worked well to give us a sense of these characters and we had some well judged moments, particularly the relationship between Lee and Jack. However some more work needs to be done in terms of finding more variety and pace and energy. Words need to feel like they are being spoken for the first time and the playing style could be a little bit bigger at times with more fluidity through the scenes. Nonetheless, well done to all for bringing us a new piece of writing to the circuit”

Tonight it's 'Art' from Dundalk Theatre Group. Curtain up 7.30pm. Tickets on door or at www.gr8events.ie

Pictured at the opening night of Newry Drama Festival.

Declan McConaghy, Sound and Lighting at Newpoint Players production of Ghetto at Newry Drama Festival. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Newpoint Players production of Ghetto at Newry Drama Festival. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Lowry Hodgett as Gens and Mickey Brannigan as Weisskopf in the Newpoint Players production of Ghetto at Newry Drama Festival. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie