It may often be said, after our luck has been weathered and expectations have settled that a marginal effort and a touch of kindness can go a long way. In the smallest of circumstances—the imperceptible ways of our lives—it is just this simple, meaningful act that changes us infinitely and goes the world over.
This much may be said of playwright New York-based, Dublin-born Derek Murphy’s recent comedy, “The Bad Daters,” whose own efforts traverse a considerable distance; with transatlantic Felix Culpa Production’s big date set to premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023, performing in theSpace @ Surgeons Hall from Aug 4-12, 14-26.
Under a sardonic title—itself off-putting and defensive—“The Bad Daters” is Murphy’s charming concern for the hopelessly loveless: of two broken characters whose thorny personalities and jagged, roughened edges smooth against each other, as good intentions become miraculously rewarded by earnestness.
New York-based, Dublin-born playwright Derek Murphy.
While not quite darkly-comic, nor the rejuvenated rom-com that meets the eye, this play is an upbeat but bruising serio-comedy, with prickly ticklish dialogue that concedes the power of being vulnerable, when depleted people promise each other not with redemption, but with the chance to try.
Rehearsals have been underway in Dublin, where Felix Culpa Productions, run by cast members Sarah Maria Lafferty and Brian Gallagher, conversed over the premise and proposed hopes of “The Bad Daters,” in anticipation of its premiere at Edinburgh Fringe.
“Both of the characters in ‘The Bad Daters’ are damaged people, but they both want to get on with their life despite their many flaws,” Sarah Maria Lafferty remarked, “It’s a fun but deep analysis of two quirky people who just seem to be drawn together.”
Lafferty, a Dublin-based actor and producer whose recent New York credits include the U.S. premiere of “Fáinne Óir” at Symphony Space, began her acquaintance with “The Bad Daters” when introduced to Derek Murphy in 2016 during a workshop at Theatre for the New City. In 2018, Lafferty produced and starred in Murphy’s play “Inside Danny’s Box” at Dublin’s Smock Alley Theatre to a sold-out run.
The play’s conception, and apparent destiny for the Edinburgh Fringe, manifested for Lafferty at the Fringe amid the four-star acclaim of her previous year’s production, “The Woman He Lived With,” where she aspired to develop a new play with comedian Brian Gallagher.
“Brian has had huge success at Edinburgh Fringe having sold out his stand-up shows in numerous years. At last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, Brian and I saw each other’s shows and we floated the idea of potentially returning to Edinburgh together with a comedic play. I’ve always enjoyed performing comedy and it felt like a rare opportunity to have such a funny script and to get to work with a comedic talent like Brian Gallagher,” explained Lafferty. It was Fringe at first sight.
“After I got back from the Edinburgh Fringe last year, we spoke about [Murphy] writing a two-hander play for me and Brian,” recalled Lafferty.
“I had previously seen his play ‘The Love Parts’ and I really connected to the story line between Liam and Wendy, so Derek agreed to adapt these characters into a play ‘The Bad Daters’ for me and Brian. It’s been a gift of a collaboration with Derek, and we’re very fortunate to have such a funny script,” Lafferty reminisced
Tucked upstairs in the nook of a rehearsal space at Slattery’s in Beggar’s Bush, Lafferty and Gallagher work side by side with impeccable congeniality, and an unruly humor.
The production has been rehearsing since early 2023, with the process now entering a scrupulous regiment of commitment in advance of the opening; fine-tuning every detail to ensure the performance will be competition-winning.
“As soon as we registered for the first round of sales at Edinburgh Fringe, we began our rehearsals. We believe the sheer amount of hours that we have put into rehearsals will show on stage,” Gallagher said.
“The week before will be very intense to get everything organized, but we both have lots of experience in producing,” Lafferty said. “We both had great experiences last year with our individual shows, so as always, it’s about building from one year to the next.”
Deliberating on the significance of the term “un-date-able,” and whether it refers synonymously with being unlovable, unapproachable, or incapable of forming intimacy, becomes a curious subject of interest in this play, which the cast have discussed, and audiences will likely debate.
“I find the title somewhat ironic because everyone wants a constructive relationship, but if you’re not any good at dating, it’s a bit of an obstacle,” Lafferty said. “For most people, dating is a daunting experience because there’s so much hope and emotional involvement, so good dating is probably the exception to the rule. In ‘The Bad Daters’, we have an extreme example of two people struggling to get know each other, but it’s a funny and dramatic journey.”
The play, which entertains morbid topics, may not quite be laughing material for many. When asked about the importance of finding lightness in dark times, Gallagher finds comedy as tragedy’s necessary counterpart. “I think there’s a bright side to every situation and if you have that outlook, the bright side will find you. Taking ‘The Bad Daters’ for example, there are serious and tragic moments, but there’s also levity, so creating humour through the dark parts of ‘The Bad Daters’ has made me reflect that, not as the adage goes that ‘hurt people hurt people,’ but ‘hurt people heal each other,’” said Gallagher.
When suggested that “The Bad Daters” carries a message about connection, Lafferty concurred: “Modern technology may connect people quicker, but there’s still no substitute for the personal and human connection which defines a relationship. So much of our sped-up existence only emphasizes the need to have a face-to-face conversation because it’s unrealistic to expect perfection, and we have to try and find the best in each other.”
Let’s hope they get more dates.
For tickets, visit here. And for an interview with Staten Island resident Derek Murphy during the pandemic, click here.
