Production reveals itself as a taut theatrical thriller that leaves aside the tired tropes of his early Oirish comedies
Martin McDonagh’s disdain for the medium in which he made his name is well known. While promoting The Leenane Trilogy in the mid-1990s, he called theatre “boring” and “rubbish”. On the interview circuit in 2015, he called it “the worst of all art forms”. It is mildly infuriating, then, to rediscover just how good a playwright McDonagh can be.
The play opens in a prison cell, as a group of officers prepare a condemned man for his execution. They almost bungle the job, but the man’s fate is the same: death by hanging. Several months later, former hangman Harry is pulling pints in an Oldham pub: the death penalty has been abolished and the only thing that swings now is the door through which a menacing stranger arrives, looking for a room.
Ciaran Bagnall’s set design offers an elevated cell that facilitates the shocking opening scene and a convincing period pub interior for the main dramatic narrative, including a cleverly used nook that provides a proscenium frame for the climactic scene, which doesn’t unfold quite as you expect it.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Deep-fake ‘news’ videos ramp up misinformation in VenezuelaUK tech company developed software used in fake news videos promoted by authoritarian government
Read more »
Ian McKellen to open Linda Martin's Dublin dog shelter: 'He loves dogs''He loves dogs.” 🐶 RealLindaMartin says her new Dublin dog shelter will be ready just in time to be officially opened by legendary actor IanMcKellen. BKNT
Read more »
The full story of the abuse allegations at St John AmbulanceMajor report found ‘deep organisational awareness’ of risks to children in past
Read more »
Fiddler Martin Hayes on life, death and bringing traditional Irish music to worldwide audiences
Read more »