Review: YES SO I SAID YES by David Ireland / Finborough Theatre 23 Nov - 18 Dec 2021

‘riveting and disturbing’ ★★★★ ½

As I had seen Cyprus Avenue last year, I knew that Yes So I Said Yes, also by David Ireland, would be no ordinary theatre experience.

I was undoubtedly correct.

Yes So I Said Yes takes us into the mind of Ulster Loyalist, Alan Black, known as Snuffy (DARAGH O’MALLEY). Snuffy is tormented by the barking of his neighbour’s dog in the middle of the night. And he is willing to go to any lengths to protect his sleep. From there comes all the trouble.

I’m not usually particularly into trigger warnings, but in this piece, I believe it is much advised. The play is riveting and disturbing. Bearing some unexpected similarities to Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, this production pulls no punches about the truth of the historic and unholy division in Northern Ireland.

As a Canadian, who grew up far from the time and place of The Troubles, I was confronted with many queries to grapple with upon watching this play. Some scenes brought into focus the supremacy of people’s convictions in the region. One brought into question whether a dog was used as a metaphor for belief in a god. And then there was Snuffy’s visit to the BBC in Northern Ireland to seek advice from national broadcaster Eammon Holmes; does belief in celebrities offer modern salvation?

Impeccable performances were given by the entire cast. O’Malley handles the vagaries of the role indomitably. Two characters who appear as ultra-loyal loyalists, devastated by the peace process, James (KEVIN MURPHY) and Edward (DECLAN RODGERS) are simultaneously terrifying and hilarious. And we have to acknowledge the wonderful performance of KEVIN TRAINOR as a questionable doctor and, yes, a dog.

The Finborough possesses a very cosy, intimate stage. The night I viewed the show, some audience members ended up with gravel on them. And there was the slightest of moments when I actually felt a bit frightened for my own life, so close was the action.

As for theatricality, this is a piece I will never forget.

However, this play may not be to everyone’s taste. But then, neither is sectarian division and violence.

YES SO I SAID YES by David Ireland

Finborough Theatre 23 Nov - 18 Dec 2021

Box Office: Yes So I Said Yes – Finborough Theatre

Performed by Kevin Murphy, Daragh O’Malley, Owen O’Neill, Declan Rodgers, Laura Dos Santos, Kevin Trainor

Directed by Max Elton

Set Design by Ceci Calf

Costume Design by Isobel Pellow

Lighting Design by Arnim Friess

Sound Design and Composition by Jack Baxter

Producer: Sarah Roy

Reviewer: Mariam Mathew is an alumnus of Guardian critic Mark Fisher’s theatre criticism course and an aspiring playwright.