At the age of nine Yvonne O’Reilly became a local legend by winning three 100 metre races in one day.  The young O’Reilly triumphed over her competitors in the under ten, under twelve and under fourteen categories, securing three gold medals and a trophy.  All this after merely stumbling upon the fete games by pure coincidence, it was the beginning of a bright and shining, if not short lived, athletic career.  O’Reilly’s personable performance style is what makes Speedtrap a success, and one cannot help but be charmed as she tries to excavate a life which never slowed down once she left the running track. 

Early on in the piece O’Reilly acknowledges her difficulty in just embracing the moment, waiting and being in the now.  Over the 60 minutes we watch as the former child prodigy attempts to discover just why she is always on the run, through anecdote, visual projections, haunting music and a clever use of props.  Whether it is rushing to find a romantic relationship or running away from her family, it is evident from the off that O’Reilly is keenly aware that this obsession with speed is not a wholly positive one.  This is the honesty and rawness that endears the audience to Speedtrap and will have you grinning behind the occasional tear.

Star rating: ★★★★