"One Sandwich Short of a Genius!"

Saturday, March 14, 2015


It's that time of year again when the city is bustling with so much excitement and activity, from fashion shows to art exhibitions, there is so much going on and it's a fantastic time to be here in Northern Ireland!

This week is going to be a busy one and I'm kicking it off in style at The MAC this Wednesday for "One Sandwich Short of a Genius"! To be totally honest I've been looking forward to this for ages, they say laughter is the best medicine, and if the reviews are anything to go by I shall be feeling like I'm on the top of the world by the end of the performance! Hehe!

(L-R) Cast members Shelly Atkinson, Conor Grimes, Patrick J O’Reilly (front), Michael Diana, and Claire Lamont.

One Sandwich Short of a Genius is back and better than ever. If you’ve seen it before you haven’t seen the half of it. If you think your family is slightly dysfunctional come and meet ours…

Mum is so determined to keep up appearances that when Dad leaves her ‘to find himself’, she hires an actor to replace him. It's a perfect solution to an embarrassing situation, as long as she uses her imagination to find the extra cash. Mum’s the word. Luckily, the daughter’s far too busy planning the happiest day of her life to notice, but the son smells so many rats he's a loose cannon who must be kept behind closed doors. Will keeping the cat in the bag and the skeletons in the cupboard whilst avoiding the elephant in the room tip them all over the edge? Or is it the best move she's ever made...

It is an absurdist comedy about a family where denial is an extreme sport, reality a distant planet and even the furniture has episodes. Think Spike Milligan meets the Royle family, meets Ionesco in this hilariously funny, sometimes dark show.

(L-R) Cast members Shelly Atkinson, Patrick J O’Reilly, Claire Lamont, Michael Diana and Conor Grimes rehearse for One Sandwich Short of a Genius’ in The Playhouse Theatre.

Áine McCarron at The Playhouse said: “We’re delighted to be the first stop of this really exciting remount! The show was such a fantastic success when it was first performed in 201, we’re just delighted to have Big Telly back in our space for the re-launch! It’s back- with more bite and hilarity this year. If you’ve seen it before you’ll want to see it again!”.

(L-R) Cast members Patrick J O’Reilly and Shelly Atkinson rehearse for One Sandwich Short of a Genius’ in The Playhouse Theatre.

(L-R) Cast members Shelly Atkinson, Patrick J O’Reilly, Claire Lamont, Michael Diana and Conor Grimes rehearse for One Sandwich Short of a Genius’ in The Playhouse Theatre. 

One Sandwich Short of a Genius’, will be opening on Saturday March 14 before its extensive tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland, performances at The MAC will run from 18 Mar 2015 - 21 Mar 2015!

Age Suitability: 10+
First performed in 2014 but re-launched with more bite and hilarity this year. If you’ve seen it before you’ll want to see it again.

What the critics said...
“…cleverly crafted, sharply focused social satire…” “…brilliant mad-as-a-badger-masquerading-as-sane schtick.” Culture NI

Writer Atkinson is magnificent as the disintegrating and stiff-limbed June...” The Public Reviews

Audience comments:
'The funniest thing I've ever watched would definitely go again!'
'Hilarious... crying with laughter... delighted to have been at the world premiere.'
'Amazing standing ovation at the Riverside Theatre - you must go and see this play!'
'Laugh. Out. Loud. Funny. Go see it.'
'Fast, funny, thought provoking theatre.'
'Absolute Genius. Miss at your peril. Only show in town.' 


Massive thanks to Emer Dooris at Big Telly Theatre Company for press release and and all relevant imagery!


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