In the haunting two-hander "Denouement," playwright John Morton and director Jimmy Fay deliver a darkly comedic reckoning with relationship dystopia, set against the backdrop of an apocalyptic world where global catastrophe is all but certain. The gripping drama follows Liam (Patrick O'Kane) and Edel (Anna Healy), a long-married couple whose time is running out as they're trapped in a remote cottage on a mountainside, surrounded by smoke and flames.
As the clock ticks down, Liam and Edel are forced to confront their troubled marriage, with each character lashing out in desperation through increasingly reckless means. Edel attempts to stay connected to the outside world via patchy phone calls, only to be met with devastating news of death and horror, while Liam's writing of a memoir takes on a confessional tone, as he pours out his guilt over what he perceives as his own culpability.
The set design by Maree Kearns is nothing short of ingenious, with the barricaded cottage serving as a graveyard for obsolete technology. The looping digital time signals and flashing numbers create a sense of unease, while the ancient video screens provide a eerie backdrop to Liam's writing process. Chris Warner's sound design perfectly complements the atmosphere, heightening the tension with every ominous beep and creak.
O'Kane and Healy deliver riveting performances that bring nuance and depth to their characters. The intensity of their portrayal of a marriage on the brink of collapse is mesmerizing, making it impossible to look away from the devastating consequences of their actions. Even without the apocalyptic premise, the focus on Liam and Edel's relationship makes for a gripping and emotionally charged drama that lingers long after the curtain falls.
As the clock ticks down to oblivion, Morton and Fay masterfully ratchet up the tension, culminating in a darkly comedic reckoning with the ultimate question: can two people find redemption before it's too late? The result is a searing exploration of love, guilt, and survival – a truly unforgettable theatrical experience.
As the clock ticks down, Liam and Edel are forced to confront their troubled marriage, with each character lashing out in desperation through increasingly reckless means. Edel attempts to stay connected to the outside world via patchy phone calls, only to be met with devastating news of death and horror, while Liam's writing of a memoir takes on a confessional tone, as he pours out his guilt over what he perceives as his own culpability.
The set design by Maree Kearns is nothing short of ingenious, with the barricaded cottage serving as a graveyard for obsolete technology. The looping digital time signals and flashing numbers create a sense of unease, while the ancient video screens provide a eerie backdrop to Liam's writing process. Chris Warner's sound design perfectly complements the atmosphere, heightening the tension with every ominous beep and creak.
O'Kane and Healy deliver riveting performances that bring nuance and depth to their characters. The intensity of their portrayal of a marriage on the brink of collapse is mesmerizing, making it impossible to look away from the devastating consequences of their actions. Even without the apocalyptic premise, the focus on Liam and Edel's relationship makes for a gripping and emotionally charged drama that lingers long after the curtain falls.
As the clock ticks down to oblivion, Morton and Fay masterfully ratchet up the tension, culminating in a darkly comedic reckoning with the ultimate question: can two people find redemption before it's too late? The result is a searing exploration of love, guilt, and survival – a truly unforgettable theatrical experience.
. I mean, I'm all for a good dark comedy, but the premise of an apocalyptic world with a crumbling marriage? That's some heavy stuff 
. I'm intrigued by the set design and sound design, it's clever how they use technology to create this sense of unease and tension 
. The cast seems like a great choice too, O'Kane and Healy bring so much nuance to their characters, I can see why you'd be invested in their story from the get-go 
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. It's like Morton and Fay are holding up a mirror to our own relationship problems, and it's uncomfortable but also kinda cathartic? I'm not sure if I'd want to watch this in real life though 
, it sounds like it'd be pretty draining. Overall, I think "Denouement" is gonna be a wild ride, and I'll definitely be tuning in to see what all the fuss is about 
with my hubby & it was SO raw! 
how the lead actor poured out his feelings on stage via writing was so haunting... I felt like I was right there with him, stuck in that isolated cottage. 
the sound design though?!? 
it had me jumping out of my seat every time something went "BOOP" or "CREAK". 
Anna Healy & Patrick O'Kane's performances were honestly WOW... I loved how they didn't shy away from showing the cracks in their relationship. 
my only con is that I needed a box of tissues for sure! 
still, it was an unforgettable night out with my hubby & we're both still reeling from the experience 
also, i checked the cast's social media and they're averaging around 1M followers each, which is a huge increase from last year's shows 
and btw, have u seen the set design pics? 
maree kearns is a genius! 
and btw, did u know that anxiety & depression affect 40% of people at some point in their lives? 
). The way the director Jimmy Fay and playwright John Morton build up the tension is insane, it's like you're right there with them in that crazy cottage. And the set design? Whoa! It's like this whole world has just come to an end 
. I went into the play expecting some dark comedy, but what I got was more like a slow-burning anxiety fest 
. Don't get me wrong, O'Kane and Healy are great, but even their performances can't make up for how much I wanted to check my watch every 5 seconds 
. And the ending? Well, I won't lie, it's a real downer 
I loved how the play didn't shy away from exploring the complexities of relationships & the consequences of our actions. It's a real wake-up call to be honest! 
Would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good drama. 
the couple's drama is so relatable u feel like you're watching ur own fam fall apart 
totally need to watch this ASAP 
It's like they're speaking our language or something! And let's not forget Chris Warner's sound design – that guy's got skills 
. Trust me, this one's a must-see for any theater fan. Get your tickets now before it sells out! 
patrick o'kane & anna healy r like total pros, they bring so much depth 2 their characters its heartwarming & heartbreaking at the same time... i loved how the play explores love, guilt & survival in this apocalyptic world... can u even imagine being trapped in a remote cottage w/ no way out? 
o'kane and healy's performances are amazing 
. The actors are incredible, especially Patrick O'Kane and Anna Healy - they bring so much depth to their characters that it's hard not to feel for them 
. I loved how the play slowly builds up the tension, making me feel like I'm experiencing everything with Liam and Edel alongside them 
. The way the play tackles love, guilt, and survival is just so real and thought-provokin'. I'm still thinkin' about it days later, what a wild ride! 
. And don't even get me started on the writing of a memoir, what a cliché move by Liam 
. I mean, I guess it's supposed to be some deep exploration of guilt and survival or whatever, but it just feels like more angst to me 
. Overall, I guess it's a solid 3/5 stars, but only because it didn't put me to sleep 
Chris Warner is a genius! That tension just builds and builds until it feels like the whole place is about to implode. I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish, but also feeling super uncomfortable because... well, you don't wanna know what happens in this play 
. All I can say is that it's not for the faint of heart, folks!