By Marilyn Lester***Take a true event, a bona fide fish story, throw it into the waters of zaniness where a group of creative minds will reel in their own Monty Pythonesque version, and voila: Catch of the Day arrives fresh and tasty. Part of the annual Brits Off Broadway series at 59E59 Theaters, this farcical bounty of hilarity is the product of Red Fox Theatre, an Anglo-Irish Company, formed in 2018 by Callum McGuire, Jonty Weston, Ben Simon and Anna McCormick, all of whom offer controlled
chaos in this production written and directed by member Megan Jenkins.
The play is a raucous, immersive gig theater experience, just an hour long but paced like rolling thunder. And mind, that you, dear audience member, have not arrived in a theater, but in an Irish pub in the midst of a céilí, a gathering of locals, folk music and storytelling—and this being an Irish pub, there’s plenty of excellent craic: good cheer, humor and banter, including fierce one-upmanship. The cast freely moves among the audience, conversing and encouraging a sing-song of familiar tunes, many made famous by The Chieftains, including “The Wild Rover,” “The Black Velvet Band” and “I’ll Tell Me Ma,” aka “The Belle of Belfast City.” What’s more, these high-energy actor-wags are gifted musicians, playing guitars and 
fiddle, with McCormick wielding a mean bodhrán (hand drum). All that’s missing is a penny whistle.
And then comes the “unbelievable true story,” based on interviews with the people of Dingle, West Ireland, about events that took place there in April 1966. What unfolds is one of those “you can’t make this stuff up” tales. A knowledge of history and the complex politics of Anglo-Irish relations is helpful, but not necessary; the core of this literal fish tale stands on its own humorous merits, told with full-bore comic commitment by this troupe of absurdists. The “Dingle Sturgeon Story” thus, concerns the landing of this singular fish in Irish waters, a fish so rare and precious (its the source of caviar), it was deemed by edict in the 1400s, a “”royal fish,” mandating the catch be presented to the reigning monarch.
Now, what to do with 
this royal fish—and this debate is the core of the fun. Queen Elizabeth? The fisherman were not having it. Another idea, to present it to Eamon de Valera, President of Ireland was debated and rejected because of politics dating back to The Irish War of Independence (1919–1921). How about the nuns—specifically, the order of The Poor Clares an enclosed, contemplative order? Also problematic. So, where does the royal fish eventually wind up? Go see Catch of the Day to find out. And prepare to laugh yourself silly. This show is all in great fun, and a marvelous respite from the troubles of the world. Hats off to Red Fox Theatre for a whale of a time.
Catch of the Day runs through Sunday June 28 at 59E59 Theater. Run time is 1 hour, 5 minute without intermission. Tickets: $44 (incl. a $4 fee) | 59E59 Members: $30
Photos by Carol Rosegg
