South Longford native set to star in new digital age drama
An alumni of Backstage Youth Theatre is set to take a pivotal role in an Athlone drama group's presentation of an award winning play.
Ballymahon native Emma O'Kane (née O'Neill) is set to star in Athlone Little Theatre's first play of the season.
'Four Minutes Twelve Seconds' by James Fritz will resonate with audiences living in a digital age where social media is all consuming and internet slang is commonplace.
Emma told The Leader about her latest role with the Athlone drama group: “I moved to Athlone many years ago, not long after I turned 18. I was in the Backstage Youth Theatre before that, so I was really looking for an outlet. I was put into contact with the people at Athlone Little Theatre and that's how I got involved. I've been with them for a few years now, this is not my first production.”
'Four Minutes Twelve Seconds' is a compelling journey to expose the challenges and pitfalls of living in a digital era where truth and trust fall victim to a world where nothing dies online, except reputations.
“It's almost a psychological thriller, without being a psychological thriller,” the actor cryptically suggests, “It explores how the internet and the digital age really affects people. It examines how things that are put on the internet not only affect the individual, but everyone around them as well.”
In the play Di (Fiona Scerri) and David (John McGlynn) are a south London couple who have worked hard to give their son Jack, the apple of their eye, all the opportunities they never had. One day 17-year-old Jack comes home from school with a bloodied shirt.
Athlone Little Theatre newcomer Luke Hickey plays Nick, Jack's friend in this contemporary four-hander, and the pivotal role of Cara, Jack's girlfriend is portrayed by Emma.
“We are around six weeks in rehearsal. It's been great,” she tells, “The part I am playing, Cara, is a young lady who has been through a lot. It is a really interesting part. I've never played a part like her before. She is tougher than I am. It has been interesting to try and find her within myself and to get that across.”
Directed by Joe MacCarrick, Fritz's thought provoking script is as topical today as it was eight years ago when it premiered in Hampstead Theatre in 2014. Emma enjoys working with the group: “The cast as a whole are really amazing. It's great to see how they put their characters in place. And how they situate them in the story. It has been fascinating to be part of that process.”
Four Minutes Twelve Seconds is a compelling drama where perceptions and sympathies constantly shift as the script reveals layer after layer. In this digital age the audience learns that the people we love may not always be who we think they are.
This modern drama classic was runner-up in the Verity Bargate Award in 2013. Audiences are advised there are adult themes in this play and it's not suitable for children under 12.
Emma says it is “a must see” show: “You won't have seen anything like it. It is a very modern piece. I have not seen anything like it, it really has a lot to say about the life we live right now, particularly the lives that teenagers are living right now.”
'Four Minutes Twelve Seconds' will be staged in Athlone Little Theatre from Wednesday, October 18 to Wednesday, October 25 at 8pm. There is a Sunday matinee only on October 22 at 3pm.
Book now on www.athlonelittletheatre.ie or via Eventbrite.