![]() Elsewhere, the spiders refer to the film Arachnophobia as being akin to a “hate crime”. At one point Bellhop ponders the possibility of a Pixar adaptation of his relationship with Conor, only to dismiss it as it would only work if it were a tale of “a spider talking to a pig”. ![]() The script is seasoned with clever wordplay and allusions that take it beyond its hilarious set up. Fitzmaurice establishes his zany material and then confidently runs with it for the next hour, showcasing an admirable ability to draw from a rich array of comic sources including vaudeville, situation comedy, clowning and the absurd. Given that Arachnophilia revolves around the increasingly complex relationship between a man and his spider and a spider and his exoskeleton, there is hardly any need to vindicate the bold comedic vision displayed by its author. Alice’s departure is also the play’s departure from narrow realism and an opportunity for the audience to accept Fitzmaurice’s wildest gift: not only will Bellhop (Ian Dunphy) claim his share of the stage and more than his share of the lines in Arachnophilia, he will do this in the company of his exoskeleton, which the playwright turns into a philosophical and lippy imaginary friend due to the dearth of stimulation and companionship of Bellhop’s new circumstances. Alice, who not only is disgusted by the gift but does not even remember having ever had a conversation about starting a family with Conor, expediently and in no uncertain terms rejects not only the offer but the very notion of sharing her life with a man who could conceive of such a pre-parenting plan. Her present is a Perspex cage containing a Chilean rose spider Conor has named Bellhop, a “pet” he has bought for her in the hope that it will help them overcome their anxiety at the prospect of having a baby. ![]() We soon realise that Conor, much to Alice’s chagrin, has a very different proposal in mind. Romantic comedies often lead viewers to the kind of climax that seems on offer here but playwright Aidan Fitzmaurice, a man clearly very much at home with the absurd, has other ideas. In the opening scene of Arachnophilia, Conor (Harry Butler), a fragile-looking but enthusiastic young man, leads his girlfriend Alice (Meg Healy), eyes covered in heightened expectation, into their shared apartment to unveil a surprise gift. The New Theatre presents –Arachnophilia- from 16-20 April 2019 Arachnophilia – The New Theatre – Review by Diana Perez Garcia
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