Written by JM Synge, the iconic ‘The Playboy of the Western World’ has been given a modern twist by director Oonagh Murphy, who casts a fresh look over this production, opening it up to a whole new generation.
A play about life on the margins, the heart of this story transcribes the lengths we go to to create a reality more exciting than the place we find ourselves, in this instance it is one of feigned heroism and violence.
Extremely relevant when it first opened to great controversy in 1907, you can’t help but think of today’s society, where people are in a constant state of competition to showcase their own perfect (albeit not always real) life.
Eloïse Stevenson is fantastic in her role as Pegeen, a fed up 20-something year old who is desperate to escape the confines of a life stuck in the middle of nowhere.
The arrival of stranger Christy Mahon (a great performance by Michael Shea) to her father’s shebeen, armed with tales that gets the whole village talking, ensures he is welcomed with great admiration by the locals, including Pegeen.
However, as is often the case, all is not as it seems and soon the playboy’s past threatens to catch up with him. Probably important to note that perhaps this is where the play’s new age doesn’t quite work as you can’t help but think that in the modern era, the outcome would be much easier. However, for the most part of the play, it does work - very well in fact.
Murphy has made this play much sexier. The local girls, who are never too far from the new arrival, are played superbly; and I must give a special mention to the drunk scenes which were absolutely-freaking-hilarious!
The set was also incredible. Molly O’Cathain excelled in her ability to bring the play to life through her design. The introduction of Pegeen’s bedroom alongside the bar (the first time this has been incorporated into the play) added a brand new dimension, allowing us to glimpse different scenarios happening at the one time.
The Irish twang as well as the characters speaking in poetry (with lot of swearing) means visitors to our wee country might struggle to comprehend the dialect and at times even I found it quite difficult to understand, but the lines were incredible and kept the audience thoroughly entertained throughout – and the actors, who were so convincing in their roles, gave a brilliant performance delivering them.
The play addresses the problem of Irish identification to great success. As would be expected with an Irish play, comic value (often inappropriate) runs throughout. Expect to laugh-out-loud in an almost “I should-not-be-laughing” kind of way.
Emotional (tick), Funny (tick), sad (tick), bleak (tick) - ‘The Playboy of the Western World’ had all of the elements of a great play, including a shocking ending!
The Playboy of the Western World runs until November 2, www.lyrictheatre.co.uk, box office. Tel: (028) 9038 1081.