Abbey Theatre Highlights a Starry Reading with Buscemi and Quinn
Ah, the Abbey Theatre—where the floors might creak, but the talent certainly doesn’t! On an unassuming Sunday night, as the world outside continued its usual chaos, a duo with serious star power took the stage in Dublin, serving up an intimate reading of Sam Shepard’s Ages of the Moon. Star of the night? None other than the man himself, Steve Buscemi, who, unlike his characters, managed to arrive without sending anyone to therapy. Accompanying him was the ever-busy Aidan Quinn, making it a basically perfect evening of bickering, laughter, and oddly comforting awkwardness—all the good stuff.
To think we were spared the red carpet and those pesky flashbulbs! Dublin doesn’t need the glitz when it’s got Buscemi reading from the porch. And let’s not forget, he’s in town because the Netflix world demands a second season of Wednesday, so it’s all tied together like a really gross family reunion—complete with Tim Burton in the audience to witness the merriment. Oh, to be a fly on the wall there!
Now, seating next to Burton was Jenna Ortega, making sure she kept her eyes on Buscemi and not on her phone, as they had just returned from the glitzy Venice International Film Festival. Who knew one could bounce from Beasts in Venice to the rugged charm of Abbey Street? Hollywood’s glitterati—it’s like watching someone try to balance a plate of fancy hors d’oeuvres while walking a tightrope.
The Power of Simple Presentation
This reading was part of the Abbey’s Love at First Sight season, which sounds like something out of a bad rom-com but is, in fact, a clever initiative. Caitríona McLaughlin, the artistic director, seems to have cracked the code of creativity: invite distinguished actors, let them pick a role they’ve wanted to explore, and then sit back and watch the fireworks. Or at least, sit back and grab a beer while the acting unfolds without a safety net of rehearsal!
Quinn had his eye on Shepard’s two-hander for a while, and the moment he got Buscemi on board, it was like the universe conspired to make it happen—after all, who wants to let some boring film schedule get in the way of art?
A Nostalgic Journey Back
Now, let’s talk about Ages of the Moon. It’s a play that requires a little setup, and that setup involves chairs on a domestic porch—classy, huh? Quinn and Buscemi settled into their roles with a natural ease, much like me settling into my sweatpants after a long day. It’s a play that drips with history, resonating perhaps more so because it premiered at the Abbey—the very same space Quinn fondly recalled from his time in New York. Talk about a homecoming!
The Real Drama Unfolds
The reading featured two blokes bickering in the tradition of greats like Beckett and Albee—arguably the patron saints of male friendship fraught with passive-aggressiveness. Quinn’s character, Ames, seems to be in some hot water with his wife, while Buscemi’s Byron has that ‘just here for the free drinks’ vibe. The drama isn’t just about the moon eclipse; it’s about the human condition, baby! And no, I’m not talking about that condition that happens at 3 AM after too much tequila.
For those who might scoff at the reading due to its lack of rehearsal, one takeaway is clear: absolute familiarity was found here. The unlikely duo played their parts as if they had been rehearsing for decades—Buscemi’s wobbly vowels were particularly delightful. One hopes this little venture prompts a full-blown production, because can you imagine the euphoria of genuine stage lights? It’s enough to make any theatre nerd weak at the knees.
What’s Next?
For now, the next installment of Love at First Sight remains under wraps, but judging by how busy these actors are, it might come with a side of tinsel. McLaughlin mentioned juggling schedules like it’s a circus act, and let’s face it, if anyone can pull it off, it’s the Abbey. But let’s not hold our breath; this is theatre, after all, not a fast-food drive-thru!
In the end, one cannot help but think, amidst all the serious themes and emotional complexity, that Jenna Ortega looked like she had a good time. That’s the spirit of theatre, isn’t it? Who says acting can’t be fun? As we wrap this up, it seems the Abbey is still the beating heart of Dublin’s artistic scene—let’s just hope it can keep up the rhythm in style!
