Paul O’Rourke
THERE have been multiple movies about US Presidents: ‘Lincoln’, ‘JFK’ and ‘Frost Nixon’ to name but three. But what about the men and women who tried, successfully or otherwise, to assassinate them?
The idea for ‘Assassins’ was born when friends and collaborators
John Weidman and Stephen Sondheim were kicking around ideas for a new project in Sondheim’s study.
Stumbling on what they recognised as a rich and neglected subject, Weidman set about writing a book with Sondheim later to add music and lyrics to the play which debuted off broadway in 1990.
A full broadway revival followed in 2004 earning five Tony awards, the production now residing at Dublin’s Gate Theatre under the direction of Selina Cartmell.
The story opens in a sinister fairground shooting gallery where the creepy owner convinces loner misfit customers to take a gun and use it on the biggest target in America, thereby earning eternal fame and the recognition they crave.
We’re introduced to a series of characters, some like Booth, Oswald and Hinckley will be known for their attacks on Presidents Lincoln, Kennedy and Reagan. Others may be less familiar and leave you guessing which commander in chief they targeted, how they went about it and the outcome, which is cleverly conveyed by a flashing hit or miss fairground sign.
This play and production works on a number of different levels. The story is fascinating, the lyrics are clever and the music foot tappingly fresh.
Because of the dark subject matter, there is plenty of opportunity to lighten the mood with humour and this runs throughout the piece so a smile or a laugh are never far away.
It’s hard to pick out one performance in a cast that is universally strong, but Dan Gordon deserves special mention for his turn as Samuel Byck, with musical numbers like the final ensemble ‘Everybody’s Got The Right’ and ‘The Ballad of Guiteau’ being particular standouts.
‘Assassins’ ticks all the boxes for an entertaining night at the theatre, and you may just learn a little something to boot. We award it a review score of 4 killer stars.