What the Press said ...
'Stage On Fire show their fire on stage
Sligo's newest theatre group Stage On Fire came like a hare on fire onto the performance scene with their debut double production of 'Salvage' and 'The Last Bolshevik'.
Both plays were written by Sligo based Willie Conlon, who provided a guiding hand for the company as well as the material.
Both plays are sprinkled with some genuinely hilarious humour, and acted out with a deft touch from Gerry Guminski, David McGowan and Richard Mulligan.
Salvage is the first and shorter of the two plays. It is set in a rural landscape somewhere in the Northwest of Ireland where Mr. Lugmore (David McGowan), a lonely farmer on a lonely hillside, decides it is better to be six foot under than face another day in isolation.
Lo and behold, who knocks on the door but Mr. Buckmaker, played by a very convincing Gerry Guminski, who is there to save Mr. Lugmore.... well his body at least.
At a little over 20 minutes long the play is short, straightforward and very effective for it. Unless your cat just died you will be laughing.
'The Last Bolshevik' is an altogether different proposition. It is basically a series of monologues delivered by a very able Richard Mulligan. Richard deliberates on the death of Communism, the rise of environmentalism, and the fact that everything that was red, is now turning green.
Along the way get drawn into the world of this rebel without a job. His love affair with the canteen waitress. His hatred of supervisors with Japanese cars, and the musings on being the last of a dying breed.
As a debut production, Stage On Fire have managed to set a standard which they will have to work hard to better. Their current production certainly deserves a grander stage.
And perhaps they will get it (hint, hint).
If you did miss this show in the Silver Swan then you will have a chance to see it before Christmas. Both plays will be performed in the Beach Bar in Templeboy on December 8 at 9pm. It's well worth attending.'
Robert Cullen
Sligo Weekender from December 5, 2001, page 10
