Experience an evening with ‘Wee Daniel’ at Bewley’s Cafe Theatre in Dublin. This three-star performance by Aoife Sweeney O’Connor delves into the challenges and experiences of growing up as a nonbinary individual in Donegal, Ireland, and the influence held by singer Daniel O’Donnell in the regional consciousness. O’Connor fittingly portrays both roles, including the sweet-smiling Jim Reeves of Dungloe (in reality Kincasslagh, the story informs us).
Fans of O’Donnell can relax, as the portrayal is less a mockery or taboo-breaking act, and more a respectful, clean homage to the artist – as inoffensive as likely spending an hour with the singer himself. No need to worry about crude language, this is light-hearted, wholesome entertainment.
O’Connor, an articulate storyteller, dons a suit possibly once owned by O’Donnell, and stands against a backdrop of golden tinsel. The performance blends personal memoirs with original tunes confidently crooned by the actor. As the play unfolds, Wee Daniel serves more as a reassurance, there to provide a chuckle or comfort, famously quipping, “They don’t call me Daniel Woke Donnell for nothing.”
The audience gains insights into the experiences of O’Connor’s grandparents in Donegal; how a young Aoife felt more at ease in cargo trousers and Converse shoes; but the only resistance from O’Donnell occurs when O’Connor confesses their birthplace was not Donegal itself. To the character’s dismay, being nonbinary wasn’t the only hurdle – being born in Dublin seemed a step too far.
An Evening With Wee Daniel: A lovely, captivating illustration of growing up nonbinary under the shadow of Daniel O’Donnell’s Donegal. Other must-sees include David O’Doherty’s unexpected, tear-jerking comedy, and Róisín El Cherif’s transfixing narrative through song as a major Palestinian voice in Ireland.
The performance is incredibly endearing and delightful. We aren’t getting a sense of overt prejudice, but there are visible instances of older family members quietly puzzled regarding the course of O’Connor’s existence. A late performance of a song proclaiming “the countryside is present for the homosexuals” is met with genuine applause. It makes a poignant note on the overlooked gay acquaintances that Irish folks of every age would recollect from their younger days. The tribute O’Connor gives in memory of their demised mother is profoundly touching.
Nevertheless, more tenacity in the proceedings would be desirable. On occasion, ‘An Evening With Daniel’ is so sincerely sweet that it teeters on the brink of theatrical sugariness overload. The benign warmth of Donegal is evident in the show. The toughness is absent. It seems that’s just the way Daniel prefers it.
The show will continue to perform at Bewley’s Cafe Theatre, as part of the Dublin Fringe Festival, till Saturday, the 21st of September.