Our Kate Takes a Trip
By Beau O’Reilly, Directed by Matt Rieger
Set in Ballyvaughan, Ireland in 2007, the play follows the titular character and her friends as they travel up the Irish coast for Kate’s annual trip to her mother’s house. Though now an elderly lady, Kate remains wild and youthful at heart. She opens the play by dancing on top of a bar while singing “Listen, Listen” by Sandy Denny. After the festivities die down, she meets with Will, her elderly companion who tells her to stay with him and “grow old together.” However, Kate cannot accept this fate, choosing instead to go on her trip and leave Will behind. On her trip, she surrounds herself with similarly eccentric people, like the perpetual drunk Sam, the ethereal Emily, and the argumentative Sluggo. Despite the crazy adventures, Kate finds comfort in the arms of Sluggo and realizes she is ready to finally settle down.
Overall, the production was fairly entertaining. Much of the characters’ interactions were very natural and easy-going; there were no major conflicts or drama. However, the message within the play was clear and relatable. One interesting note was that the play was deemed “child-friendly” yet had vulgar humor, sexual references, and plenty of drinking and smoking. Audience members should definitely leave their kids behind, who will be bored by the content matter and shocked by outright anatomical terms. “