Fringe 2009 - FFA 1 - The Red Tureen

"No more leather in our pulpit, ladies."

(Which sounds completely naughty out of context, and only slightly less naughty in context.)

Doolin & Dingle

(I have an inexplicable fondness for a company with the word Dingle in its name. The person next to me, an inexplicable aversion. So it's a wash.)

The Red Tureen

In 1847, Father Padraig Bones returns to Kilkieran Valley, Ireland, to find that truth starves and food is a political weapon. Can he solve the mystery of the Night of the Burning House before time runs out?

Father Bones? There's also a character listed as Lieutenant Wiggins. Are they trying to make me chuckle? (Not that that's a bad thing.)

This was our first full-on musical preview of the evening. Backing track (nice music, which sometimes drowned out the soloists - Sing out, Louise!), nine cast members (and that's not all of them), some lovely voices. The lead, Father Bones, seemed to be singing mighty high up in his range, but he managed to pull it off.

You know the template - hard working Irish farming town, a young man returns to his old home town as the new priest, tries to better their way of life, runs into opposition, etc., etc. But I find this kind of familiarity comforting sometimes.

Plus, one of the actors not on display tonight is Alex Carlson, who invited me to the show because he was in my first post-Fringe production last year as the ill-fated Marine Jonas in Leave. I'm showing up to anything he's in - he's a good actor who does good work. It was nice to see it's going to be fun (and not a chore at all) supporting the show he's in.

Bonus points for the final sung "Amen" coming in right on the red light. I was worried they weren't gonna make it.

Their show page

Their website - theredtureen.blogspot.com