I Doubt It, Says Pauline

THE SHOW One Hell Of A Do, was one hell of a phenomenon, and one helluva hard act to follow. That Jon Kenny and Pat Shortt do follow it, and don't disappoint, is a tribute to their energetic performances, inventive wit and the parodic warmth of I Doubt It, Says Pauline.

There must be, oh, at least three people in the country who have neither seen nor heard of D'Unbelievables' One Hell Of A Do, which has spent the last three years on Ireland's highways and byways, and international flight paths, as Kenny and Shortt's humorous, and enormously popular, parody of an Irish country wedding. The same amphetamine inspired performances, eye for behavioural detail and wink towards a range of theatrical and comedic styles feed into Pauline. But it would be too po faced to analyse it thus. And, anyway, it's just too much crack.

With Pauline, the setting is the parish of Glengooly ("we're working on twinning it with the Vatican") on the evening of the gala night. Growing organically from its simple structure - the first half a portrait of the village and some of its characters, the second the concert itself we are introduced to a bizarre and hilarious world.

The dramatis personae include Joe, who still lives with his Ma, Pauline (though for years he's been planning to leave . . . for a day at the seaside), and works in the parish hall on a scheme; the karateloving priest, Father B. Lee; the ranting GAA trainer; Snotzer, the schoolteacher; the butcher (cum grocer/publican/ undertaker) in his blood soaked coat and with half a pig over his shoulder; and more.

The cast is played by variously hair pieced Kenny and Shortt (and assorted members of the audience) with gusto and slick timing. This is not subtle, urbane or sophisticated wit; these two madmen use large brush strokes to create a broad, personality based and clever comedy which manages to tap into the familiar and exaggerate it to an almost grotesque, but still warm hearted, concoction.

The last show developed and changed as it went along; expect this one to do the same. Kenny and Shortt are hugely talented and hugely funny, and they had the audience howling from the first.