REVIEWS:BROTHERS OF THE BRUSH

John O'Mahony
Thursday 31 August 1995 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

BROTHERS OF THE BRUSH

Theatre Workshop (venue 20), 34 Hamilton Place (0131-226 5425), 7.45pm; to Sept 2

What Clifford Odets did for taxi drivers, young Irish dramatist Jimmy Murphy attempts to do for the painting and decorating trade in this story of unions, brotherhood and spattered overalls. Barred from his local pub and forced by insanitary conditions to improvise with empty paintpots, Heno figures that he and his comrades are being cruelly exploited by Martin, their Suzuki jeep-driving, mobile phone-toting boss. Only Lar, who has spent a year out of work and is soon to be made foreman, disagrees. "You'll just ruin it here for everyone else," he tells Heno, before being crushed by the protest drama logic of the piece. Murphy's writing thinly veils its message but is always sharp, witty and well observed. And while the Dublin accents are a little rickety, the confrontation and conflict are superbly managed in Wiseguise Production's robust staging. John O'Mahony

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in