Presented by Spike Productions (Black Comedy)

Tuesday, 3rd May - Saturday, 7th May (by Stephen Berkoff, Director: Alan Kinsella) The Focus Theatre at 8pm. Tickets 12/10 euro (2 plays)

It's the 1980's and Steve is having a debauched affair with socialite Helen, leaving his wealthy Cheam housewife Sybil to plot his destruction with private dick, Les. Using Berkoff's unique language and style, 'Decadence' is a hilarious expose of the social hierarchy as experienced by representatives from the aristocracy and the working class. 'Decadence' is still "as funny, sexy, vulgar and shocking as when it was first presented" and begs the question, have things changed much in 20 years?

About The Company

Spike Productions' artistic policy is to produce new or innovative theatrical pieces. The company also facilitates foreign companies to produce theatre in Ireland.

Recent Productions:

Decadence by Stephen Berkoff (The New Theatre, 2004)
Creatures by Alex Bonstein and Lee Maddeford (Andrews Lane Theatre, 2000)
Laughing Wild by Christopher Durang (Andrews Lane Theatre, 2000)
Beyond Therapy by Christopher Durang (Andrews Lane Theatre, 1999)

Cast & Crew

HELEN Katherine Murphy
STEVE Tom O'Leary
SYBIL Katherine Murphy
LES Tom O'Leary

Director Alan Kinsella

Stage Manager Jackie Dwyer

Lighting Dave O'Leary

Show Reviews

"An inspired and brave choice for the festival. It takes considerable skill to understand and maintain the concentration necessary to appreciate the well sculpted characters and scenarios presented in this provocative script. It's an even greater skill if you can communicate this to an audience and make it accessible for them. I speculated in my preview that director Alan Kinsella was up to the task and on seeing this production, I feel vindicated. He assembled a flawless team whose skills, energy, characterisation and delivery merged into one continuous symphony of acting that took no prisoners, despite being a little long. The gift in the performances of Tom O'Leary and Katherine Murphy, (white faced, clad in evening wear), was that with one simple change in posture, you knew which character was next. O'Leary was a powerful, physical, emotional wordsmith, well matched in all aspects by Murphy whose hunting scene was a triumph of delivery (and for O'Leary physically!). To know who we are, we need to understand the structures of society and to appreciate where sexuality is placed within this structure. "Decadence" offers insights into many of these questions. The technical presentation was admirable in a sadly decaying venue like the Focus. In a strange way, such physical decay added to the mental decay of the presented characters. It all blended into a wonderful indulgence, depraved, decadent and riveting piece of theatre. Weep if you missed it!" - Gordon Farrell, Scene City - June 2005