The Irish Examiner, Tuesday 03.07.2007
Hammergrin presents The Threat of Humour, a show of anti-humour propaganda, which promises to stop 70% of its audience from laughing by the end of its 90 minutes. This showcase of film, singing and drama didn’t fulfil its task in that regard, and, at th very least, 70% of its auidence laughed their way through the whole show.
Hammergrin are certainly not short on talent and creative ideas, but some parts of the show – the OWN scenes and the Burglars monologues by Cormac Costelloe – lacked the polish that was evident in other parts, and would, perhaps, benefit from further workshops. However, John McCarthy was an entertaining compere.
The Threat of Humour is not to be missed for its two film pieces, both mockumentaries on the treatment of humour in society, which brilliantly showcase the talents of Ciarán Fitzpatrick and John McCarthy. The Delicate Veil, by Karen Kelleher, with the aid of her puppeteer sidekick, Ronan Fitzgibbon, is a funny treatise on Irish folkloric romance. Special mention, also, for the beautiful voices of Sara-Jane Power and Ms Katie Holly. I would recommend people to keep a close eye on the latter if her witty songs are anything to go by.
This audience member left the show with the anticipation that Hammergrin and all its members have a lot more up their sleeves to entertain us with yet. I look forward to future productions.
Aileen Lee
