Review: ADELAIDE FRINGE 2016: LITTLE THING, BIG THING Is Quite A Thriller

Reviewed by Barry Lenny, Tuesday 23rd February 2016

Jim Culleton's play, Little Thing, Big Thing, brings together Sorcha Fox and Donal O'Kelly, who play Sister Martha McCann and Larry O'Donnel, a Catholic nun recently returned from years in Nigeria, and a foul-mouthed ex-con on parole after serving time for something in which he was not a major player, but took the rap. He is known to the police, she is known to an unscrupulous combination of corrupt businessmen. This decidedly odd couple find themselves thrown together in a race across Ireland, pursued by both groups.

He has turned up at a now disused convent, intent on stealing a statue of the virgin, Mary. She is carrying a roll of film given to her by a terrified child before she left Nigeria. He has hidden, not wanting to be discovered on what was to be his last illegal job before turning straight. She suddenly finds herself being chased by an international hit man. He helps her to escape and they rattle and bang their way out of there in his beaten up old van, into a deadly cat and mouse chase game across Ireland as they head to Dublin to put the film into the hands of the man who needs it, an African national, about to be deported, so speed is imperative and every delay a potential disaster.

One immediately sees that this would make a sensational television mini-series, just from this extremely simple set, two chairs, and the marvellous performances of these two superb artists, not only as Martha and Larry, but all of the other characters besides. They build and maintain a high level of tension and excitement, with a little comedy here and there.

Aside from the pursuit, there is a fascinating change in their relationship as they each come to know one another through their mutual situation, both becoming the quarry of police and thugs alike. She sees past his constant bad language, and he sees past her devotion, discovering the people behind the stereotypes that they see at first. A mutual respect and friendship grows between them, with even a tantalising hint that there might be more and that, given more time, anything might happen.

There are plenty of twists and turns in this tale, and a few side stories, and what is revealed when they finally manage to get the film developed and printed explains everything. The little things turn out to be Sister Martha and Larry, and the big thing is an international conspiracy involving Scarab Oil. Exactly what is going on, and how it all ends, will only be discovered when you go to see this excellent production.

This is the third of the Irish plays being presented by Arts Projects Australia with support from Culture Ireland and performed in Showroom One at GC, the German Club. All three are guaranteed to please any audience, and you can very conveniently see all three in the one evening, with breaks between each for meals, snacks, and to refill your beer steins.

Take a brief glimpse at this production.

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