Edinburgh Fringe 2025
Low Down
Two men, one pub, many pints and musings on life and death. A joy to overhear.
Review
Two men of a certain age meet regularly in the pub. They observe life, check in on family, gossip. These being men, banter and leg pulling is their main form of communication, served by an almost silent barman. They go home. Essentially, that’s it. But this is from the pen of the mighty Roddy Doyle, King of Irish dialogue. If you’ve read any of his books, you’ll know they read like play scripts, description to a minimum, characters thrum through conversation. And here the conversation is mighty.
Only the barman, Raymond, (Steve Gunn), is named. Anthony Brophy is One, Sean Kearns Two, giving them a universalality that the audience can ruefully connect with. The joy arises out of the surreal paths the conversations take. Parking at the local hospital leads to the creation of Celebrity Car Park Attendant with Nigella Lawson, who features a lot in their musings. She appears in their imaginines of the afterlife, with the Lawson 11, although Ky.ie Minouge is allowed to be midfielder. In a completely non judgemental way, they discuss the big questions of life, such as, “What happens if the man you’ve married turns out to be gay?” It’s hilarious to watch them working out how their version may differ from reality!
If all this sounds a bit frivolous, there is a beautiful poignancy as the piece develops, when A’s elderly father dies. Their age and upbringing forbids them to hug, but a genuine friendship is conveyed, the ribbing and poetic swearing showing us how fond and supportive they are of each other. Beautifully directed by Sara Joyce, the pacing is superb, reflective staring and pausing telling us so much. Radio would not get this friendship so beautifully rounded out. For fans of Roddy Doyle this is a must see, but it’s a gem of dialogue and a joy to watch.
