This play is a tragicomedy about a small rural town in Ireland where many of the townspeople are extras in a Hollywood film. Wikipedia
SYNOPSIS written by alexandra Applleton
Stones In His Pockets takes place in a scenic spot near small town in County Kerry which has been taken over by a Hollywood film crew. Charlie Conlan and Jake Quinn have been employed as extras on the film and tell the story of the impact this movie set has upon the local community. Charlie claims to be escaping the aftermath of a failed business venture and has great aspirations to get his own script made into a film. Jake has recently returned from America and is enthralled by the beauty of the movie’s leading lady until it becomes clear that she only wants to use him to appropriate his accent. The play depicts the local excitement and enthusiasm at being part of a huge movie, but the glamour quickly fades as the reality of being an extra kicks in. Charlie and Jake play thirteen other eccentric and eclectic characters between them, including Caroline, the American movie star who struggles to do a convincing Irish accent; Clem, the English director; and Mickey, a local extra in his seventies. They tell the story of local teenager, Sean Harkin, who commits suicide by drowning with stones in his pockets after being humiliated by the movie’s star and thrown out of his local pub. Following his suicide, the town must come to terms with his death and the apparent disinterest from the film crew who, initially, are unwilling to interrupt filming to let the extras go to the funeral. Jake blames himself for not helping Sean when he was in need and mocks Charlie for his continual optimism. The two men decide to rewrite Charlie’s script to tell Sean’s story but Clem informs them that it isn’t exciting or glamorous enough to ever succeed. With just two actors playing over a dozen parts, Stones In His Pockets is a comedic yet tragic take on the effects of the Hollywood dream in a small Irish town.
Verdict: Good play but does contain some offensive language. The subject of suicide might be upsetting for some Junior students. Teachers/parental discretion required.