‘Well written and expertly performed.’
In an intimate performance space in the basement of Summerhall is a one woman show like no other. We are introduced to Don Murphy, a stoic cockerel who has been raised as a strong Irish lad, expertly played by Rosa Bowden.
As Don enters the circle of his feathered friends, we are invited to hear the troubled tales of a hardy cockerel who is trying to make it big in the film industry in New York City.
Rosa’s performance is extremely realistic with repetitive pecking, subtle head movements, an intense stare and a stalking walk. Everything from her posture to her regal, shimmering outfit shouts chicken and she maintains this strong character work throughout the whole performance.
As Don begins to share the story of his childhood, it becomes clear that his life has been a tough one. Rescued by an Irish couple from a chicken farm he is brought up in Kerry but dreams of a different life filled with fame and success.
He takes us on the journey as he moves to New York in an attempt to become a star. We hear of Don meeting his first friend, the challenges he faces as a young actor and the moment he catches his big break.
But fame doesn’t come easy to Don and soon the allure of drugs leads him on the path of addiction. In a fun moment of technical creativity, we see Don take his first line of ketamine and the rush of his first high before he begins to unravel.
Each time a new character is introduced to Don’s tale, Rosa switches into their accent perfectly and with ease, helping the audience keep up with Don’s eclectic and chaotic life story.
Things begin to change for Don when he falls for a beautiful silkie from Dallas whose rag tag group of poultry friends are activists taking a stand against the appalling conditions in the meat industry. But it isn’t until Don is invited home to Kerry for his role in ‘Chicken Run’ that he begins to understand the true monstrosities that occur to chicken kind.
The story is a rollercoaster of trials and triumphs as Don grapples with his purpose. This interesting concept touches on the allure of fame, the challenges of addiction and the problems surrounding the meat industry in a clever, absurd piece of theatre.