REVIEW: Kildare-based drama group's ‘Secret Dilemma’ is a clear-as-day success

Riff Raff Drama Group gives you everything you expect on the tin.

The group, headed by director, playwright and actor Dave Tiernan, are dead-serious... about having fun.

Back in 2022, Dave told the Leinster Leader that one of the things he treasures most about the group is the emphasis on freedom within it and how it allows people, especially older people who may have been too busy when they were younger, a chance to bring their talents to the stage (hence the tongue-in-cheek 'riff raff' reference in the title).

Now, in 2024, the very same rings true for the group's latest two-act production, 'Secret Dilemma'.

The show, which was the brainchild of Dave, ran for three nights in Newbridge's Riverbank Arts Centre over May 29, May 30 and May 31 last, and helped to launch June Fest 2024.

Set in modern day, 'Secret Dilemma' revolves around an anxious bride-to-be, Grace, who is woefully ill-prepared for her wedding day.

Her mother, Alice, has insisted on a garden wedding at the family home, but things don’t go according to plan: the caterers ruin the cuisine, the band leaves, and an unwanted photographer shows up, and a socially awkward substitute parish priest is left to try to pick up the pieces of the wedding.

'Secret Dilemma' is what you get if you mix an episode of 'The Jerry Springer Show' with 'Little Britain' and 'Faulty Towers', and a little bit of 'Father Ted' through the character Bridget, who is basically a female version of Father Jack.

In other words, anything goes!

The play ran for three nights in the Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge.

The audience was kept laughing by the sharp, witty dialogue and relatable characters, and there were even two or three heartwarming moments sprinkled in for good measure.

This is arguably 'Secret Dilemma's greatest strength: it is unapologetically wild and unpolitically correct, yet at the same time, you have to admire it for being honest, so for that, you go along for the ride; the play encourages you to embrace your inner 'dirtbird' and popcorn-eating drama seeker, and for that, it fits the bill perfectly.

Without going into spoiler territory: you can't help but like the characters, because we all know someone like them! 

Although everyone clearly gave it their all, four special mentions must especially go to: Mia Sibbald as Grace, who portrays the straight-woman with ease (which is definitely a difficult role to do in a comedy); Dave Tiernan as the innocent, simple, always-blessing-himself priest, Father Dickinson, who tries to de-escalate any and all conflict to woeful results; and Jack Kenny as Grace's fiancée Giles, who serves as an arrogant antagonist you truly-love-to-hate and yet also keeps you entertained with his Basil Fawlty-esque humour combined with great physical presence and energy; and lastly, Amanda Clarke as Sinéad, a street-smart Dublin woman who is not afraid to say it how it is.

The break in the middle of the two acts served as a good way to allow for the jokes and atmosphere to settle in with the audience (not to mention those lusting for refill of beer and those with weak bladders), and a competition was held, where a variety of prizes were given out to lucky audience members.

While some of the jokes don't land well, the vast majority of the play had the audience (and this reporter) laughing, and the very last punchline ends the play on a true high-note: Dave definitely saved the best joke for last, which is the right way to approach comedy.

Overall, with 'Secret Dilemma' it is clear that you're laughing with the cast as much as you are laughing at them, and the audience's approval was cemented by the rapturous, and well-deserved, applause at the end.

The praise and respect was definitely reciprocated by the cast, as they met with audience members afterwards in the foyer of the Riverbank... and sure, wasn't great craic was had by all!

The cast meeting with audience members in the packed foyer of the Riverbank Arts Centre after the play concluded.

Cast: Lezley Blade as Emma, Dave Tiernan as Father Dickinson, Mary K Ryan as Alice, Lesley Whiteley as Bridget,  Mia Sibbald as Grace, Eric Ward as Eddie, Jack Kenny as Giles and Amanda Clarke as Sinéad.

Crew: Catherine Connolly, Sean Whiteley, Teresa Flynn Keogh, Jean Clarke Dempsey and Susan Leeson.

'Secret Dilemma' was sponsored by: Maggie Roche of Little Acorn in Baltinglass; Alan Donohue Engineering Gates and Railings; Eric McDonald of McDonald's Bar; and The Soul Clinic, which is based in County Kilkenny.

The crew for 'Secret Dilemma'. Photograph by Dave Tiernan.