Review of ‘American Buffalo’ by David Mamet at The Gate Theatre in Dublin by Margo I’d not seen any of Mamet’s works performed before, and rather than reading the play itself, as is my habit, this time a quick read of a synopsis, including interpretation, of the play was all I knew of ‘American Buffalo’. It’s something I’ll not do again, because instead of letting what I saw tell the story, I kept trying to *see* the analogy I’d read. Then again the performance I attended was only its third night. The production succeeded in creating a feeling of fracture, of discontent, of non-cohesion, of leaving the viewer with the feeling that something was missing. A success that was, in my opinion, inadvertent. The sense of dissatisfaction came more from the lack of what was conveyed on stage rather than purposefully communicated. Individually, each actor was excellent. Body language, dialogue, and timing were impressive and imbued with character. Together…well, they weren’t. Three actors on a stage having conversations that may as well have been monologues. The ‘play’s the thing’ may be the base of theatre, but what makes it come alive, become something special, what makes plot and words shine, is the life – the connection – between the actors. There were a few brief instances where one character *saw* the other, instances that resulted in humour both intentional and unintentional, but they were few and far between. My attention was riveted on ‘Teach’, his energy explosive with need, but rather than feeling it was the need of the character, it appeared more the need of Aidan himself to connect with his companions. His frustration and discontent was palpable, not only as Teach in relation to Don and Bob, but as Aidan Gillen trying desperately to connect with Sean McGinley and Domhnall Gleeson. That said, if the actors were to tell me different, I’m still willing to accept that my impressions were wrong. Nothing, however, can take away from the pleasure of watching Mr. Gillen perform. The man continues to impress me with his talent – he doesn’t just act the character, he becomes the character. A chameleon, a shape-shifter, a true character actor in every sense of the title, and still and all a spark of something *more* that draws the eye and demands attention – I remain an admirer.