On sunny days in Dublin, you’d wonder why anyone would want to be anywhere else – with bustling streets, the glittering river and happy faces enjoying the fine weather but one unhappy lady is not so entrawled with the wonderfully sunny Dublin.
Sylvia emerges from a street corner and makes friends immediately with me and my fellow travellers on Wonderland Productions’ latest project ‘Sylvia’s Quest’ – a story which takes you through the streets of Dublin while Syliva – a Bulgarian archaeology student recounts her stories of her time in Dublin, battling with her difficult boss and coping with her homesickness for her family back in Bulgaria.
The streets of Dublin have never seemed so lonely to me, and being Irish with a happy group of friends and family around me in Dublin it really put the city in a different light. Sylvia battles between her love for her family and her desire to pursue her own dreams in a quest to find her way home. The trouble with Sylvia is that she must first define what home is for her – a challenge that, I can imagine, faces many emigrants.
The story is well written and Elitsa Dimova gives a warm and comfortable performance as little Syliva. The production is very much audience participation which can strike the fear of god into many theatre lovers, but if you’re willing to step beyond the theatre seats and onto the streets then you’ll be rewarded with a cleverly crafted, engaging and touching production.
You can take part in Sylvia’s Quest at the following locations and dates:
Newbridge 200 Festival Saturday September 8th-Friday September 14th At 3pm 8th-9th September, at 7pm 10th-14th September. Riverbank Arts Centre Box Office: 045 448330 www.riverbank.ie
Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray. Friday September 21st –Sunday September 23rd. At 3pm Friday-Sunday. Also at 6pm Saturday and Sunday. Box Office: 01 2724030 www.mermaidartscentre.ie
Dundrum Town Centre, The Mill Theatre, Dublin 16. Wednesday 17th-Sunday 21st October. At 7pm Wednesday – Friday, at 3pm Saturday and Sunday. Box Office: 01 2969340 www.milltheatre.ie
Quality Waffle 