Under the Blue Sky no limit for comfort zone

Written by David Eldridge and directed by Susan Lynch at Melville Theatre, Under The Blue Sky is described as “modern, thoughtful theatre” following the relationships, loves and lust of three couples.

All of them are teachers and have been friends for a long time, but all have been hiding truths from each other.

The play is set on one day when they decide to tell each other their innermost thoughts.

Originally written in 2000, the play was revived in 2008 on West End featuring Doctor Who’s Catherine Tate and The IT Crowd’s Chris O’Dowd. Bennett-McPhee plays Graham, a character unsure of himself but not of his own desires.

“He’s driven to the point of obsession but has deluded himself into thinking his behaviour is completely rational and acceptable and will go to great lengths to get what he wants,” he said.

“Under The Blue Sky appealed because of the challenge, more than anything,” he said.

“It’s been quite some time since I’ve been on stage and playing such an interesting character was an opportunity I didn’t want to miss.”

Lynch said the play had humour as well as some confronting moments.

“We get to see the best of some of the characters and the worst of others,” she said.

“At one level, it’s about their relationships suddenly changing but it also looks at how we continue living our lives in the face of all the horrors in the world.”