Laois Fourth Wall Theatre Group presents
I Do Not Like Thee, Doctor Fell
by Bernard Farrell
Thursday 15th and Friday 16th May, 8pm
Tickets €18 full price and €16 concession rate
Six people gather in a room for Encounter Therapy that promises to probe their lives. They get more than they bargained for when Joe Fell exposes their secrets in this send-up of American group therapy.
The group therapy session is led by the enigmatic and manipulative Suzy (Mary Dermody). The participants Joe Fell (John Kavanagh), Roger (Kevin Lalor-Fitzpatrick), Peter (Joe Murphy), Maureen (Alex O’Neal), and Rita (Maeve Heneghan) reveal morea bout themselves than they intended, leading to hilariously awkward situations.
Paddy (Michael Brennan) the Group Attendant, provides the “normal” balance to the proceedings. Clashing egos and misunderstandings devolve into absurd confrontations creating tension between Susy’s calm demeanour and the chaos of the group members.
As Suzy applies increasing pressure, the cracks begin to show, and buried conflicts, resentments, and fears erupt.
The play balances absurdity with authenticity, keeping the audience laughing while reflecting on human nature's vulnerabilities and contradictions.
Themes of control and human vulnerability are explored, exposing a thin line between therapy and coercion.
Set in the 1980s, the play is a satire of the self-help culture and a hilarious commentary on power dynamics within supposed safe spaces.
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