Hastings Online Times "...the Crowning event of this year's Russia-related programme at the Kino-Theatr" (November 2017) Charlie McBride (Galway Advertiser) Playwright Philip McDonagh and the company have delivered a lean, sinewy distillation of the classic novel into two compelling hours of stage time.
There is minimal set while the main props were the lanterns carried by each actor which imbued much of the action with a visual chiaroscuro effect. Jake Morgan’s atmospheric score, played live on piano by Gilles Dupouy, with several sung sequences from the cast, also added to the play’s impact.
The cast of nine, all clad in black, vividly rendered Dostoyevsky’s characters and special praise must go to director Luke Morgan who, at short notice, took on the central role of the tormented murderer Raskolnikov and was assured and impressive throughout. Claire Ahearne, as the saintly prostitute Sonya, John M. Farrell as the wily investigator Porfiry, and Jackie Roantree as Natasya, also delivered strong performances.
This was a strong and well achieved staging of a challenging work. Luke Morgan’s clever, imaginative direction gave the production great momentum and he deftly co-ordinated the movement and exchanges of his actors. (October 2017)
GONDLA, 2016
"This dynamic young company, and director Luke Morgan in particular, are ones to watch"