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Irish Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Scorched Earth review: An individual tragedy and a national malaise
Scorched Earth Abbey Theatre, Dublin ★★★★☆ The first moments of Scorched Earth explain that a public inquiry into a spate of 'land-based crimes' has led to a report highlighting the link between violent crime and ownership of land. Although inspired by John B Keane's play The Field, it is clear that what is about to unfold isn't just an individual tragedy but a national malaise. A cold case has been reopened by Detective Kerr (played by Sarah Dowling) into the death of a developer, William Dean (Will Thompson). He was found dead in a field shortly after outbidding a local (Luke Murphy) who had leased the field for years. [ Luke Murphy on Ireland's land obsession: 'There's something about having and owning. I see a fixation on that, and I feel it in myself' Opens in new window ] Murphy's character remains the prime suspect for Kerr as she tries to get a confession in a bleak interrogation room. He reiterates his innocence, but Murphy's tense squirming constantly contradicts those words of denial. The claustrophobic setting recalls some of Murphy's previous works, particularly The Archivist and Volcano , as does the theme of individual versus system, but here it is difficult to empathise with the slippery suspect and his false bravado. READ MORE The setting is ahistorical, in spite of references to the 1990s and Celtic Tiger excesses, and many of the themes are universal, particularly the tension between stasis and change. A local guard who ineffectually investigated the original crime (Ryan O'Neill) is constantly wary of the outsider, in contrast to the local radio host (Tyler Carney-Faleatua), who can't contain her gushing admiration of the developer during an interview. A final group dance suggests that it is the land, expressed through Alyson Cummins's ingenious set, that has a timeless grip over individuals' behaviour. The obsession with possession of land and consequent exclusion are embedded in society, whether at a micro level between neighbours or a macro level with attitudes to immigrants. Scorched Earth is at the Abbey Theatre , as part of Dublin Dance Festival , until Saturday, May 24th and at Black Box , as part of Galway International Arts Festival , from Tuesday, July 15th, until Saturday, July 19th
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fire in Kingston centre causes traffic diversions
More than 100 firefighters are making "steady process" tackling a fire in a disused building in the centre of Kingston, south-west London. London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the blaze at the building in Richmond Road was first reported to them at 14:30 GMT. People are being urged to avoid the area as road closures, including for the one-way system, are in place. Station Commander Will Thompson, who is at the scene, said: "The fire is producing smoke, so we advise local residents to keep their windows and doors closed." There are no reports of injuries. Two of the Brigade's 32-metre (105ft) turntable ladders are being used as observation towers, providing incident commanders with an aerial view to improve situational awareness and inform tactical decisions. London Ambulance Service said it had sent an incident response officer and also asked the public to avoid the area. People who live near to the incident should stay indoors and keep windows closed, the service added. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to London Fire Brigade
BBC News
16-03-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
People warned to avoid the area as fire breaks out in Kingston
More than 100 firefighters are making "steady process" tackling a fire in a disused building in the centre of Kingston, south-west Fire Brigade (LFB) said the blaze at the building in Richmond Road was first reported to them at 14:30 are being urged to avoid the area as road closures, including for the one-way system, are in Commander Will Thompson, who is at the scene, said: "The fire is producing smoke, so we advise local residents to keep their windows and doors closed." There are no reports of of the Brigade's 32-metre (105ft) turntable ladders are being used as observation towers, providing incident commanders with an aerial view to improve situational awareness and inform tactical Ambulance Service said it had sent an incident response officer and also asked the public to avoid the area. People who live near to the incident should stay indoors and keep windows closed, the service added.
