What’s it all about?
Tino McGoldrick has lived a life. Alone on a sparse stage, this enigmatic Irish son and brother – part street performer, part silent film start, part dancer, part pal unloading on you – shares the tale of how he got to where he is. It’s not a cheery one.
Who’s in it?
Writer Pat Kinevane is the sole inhabitant of the stage for the show’s 90 minutes. Kinevane’s performance is staggering, ranging from an irresistible cheekiness to full throttle intensity and utter, unfixable brokenness. It’s breath-taking stuff.
What should I look out for?
This show is all about character. Just lose yourself in Tino; his idolisation of his brother, despising of his mother and astute – almost stand-up ish – observations.
In a nutshell?
Shout it loudly, Silent is glorious and devastating. Kinevane is mesmerising.
What’s being said on Twitter?
lucky to have seen the wonderful wonderful #Silent at @sohotheatre tonight from @Fishamble – what a show!
— Victoria Blunt (@IamVicBlunt) July 7, 2015
London based mates: Please don’t miss this extraordinary stunning show http://t.co/TVW9UFZonf #Silent @Fishamble I PROMISE you won’t regret.
— Liz Nugent (@lizzienugent) July 3, 2015
Will I like it?
How could anyone not fall for Kinevane’s Tino? He’s a man whose life has left him floundering and lost, but who still has such joy to share, who is as haunted as a Gothic churchyard but has the grace of Nureyev… almost.
If you want a ‘big’ production, this is not for you, but this 90 minute black box show is a workout for the soul and a masterclass in character creation.
Silent plays at the Soho Theatre until 25 July. You can book tickets through the theatre’s website.