Here are my thoughts on the Abbey Theatre's latest production of Sean O'Casey's 'The Plough and the Stars', directed by Wayne Jordan, which has just finished up in the O'Reilly Theatre at Belvedere, but will continue on as a touring production for a little while longer across Ireland the UK. Info here: http://www.abbeytheatre.ie/.
Now, I will admit I didn't know much about Sean O'Casey or 'Plough' before seeing this, all I knew was that it was one of several plays by Irish playwrights that had incited riots and caused massive hoopla back in the day. I'm quite ashamed of that. I'm ashamed I don't know more of O'Casey's work, and that I haven't checked out more of my own country's dramatists, but I'm going to remedy that soon! Don't you worry about that now.
But on to the production. *Ahem*
First off, the cast is utterly wonderful. Honestly this the Mary Poppins of casts. Practically perfect in every way. The dynamic between each member is natural and effective, and it is by far the strongest element of this production, which is exactly as it should be. It works so well because the play allows for each of the 6 main characters to have their own time to develop, interact and shine. Joe Hanley's Fluther Good is a particular highlight; both funny and capable of a great depth of feeling. The character itself is intrinsically likable, being something of a lout with a heart of gold, but the charisma Hanley gives the character is very special. He gets ALL the best lines! What a lucky duck!
But what is especially nice about this play for me is the three beautifully written female leads: Bessie Burgess, Nora Clitheroe and Mrs Gogan. The actresses in these roles all excel, and Kelly Campbell's Nora is especially heart-breaking towards the end of the play, really shining in a character that in the wrong hands could have just become shrill and distracting. But truly, gold stars to the entire cast, from leads to supporting cast. Having seen absolutely top-notch plays in Ireland and the UK let down slightly by just one lose-end in the cast, I was really blown away by just how right the Abbey got this one. It is perfect. Even better than the SUPER cast I witnessed in this years Globe production of 'Richard III'.
The play itself was utterly engrossing, and despite my lack of knowledge I was sucked in from the very opening in which each character is introduced, to the very end in which two unfamiliar characters are left alone on stage. In my opinion, 'Plough's greatest asset is it's humour. The first half is dominated by a typically Irish sense of humour, and while politics, sad circumstances and poverty do rear their heads frequently throughout this first half, it is the humour that sets up each character and each situation. Through humour we come to know each of six leading characters, from the wonderfully dislikable Bessie, to the cheeky socialist Covey, and all the rest. By the end of the first half we have such a good idea of who these characters are that when things get far bleaker in the second act there are great emotional stakes.
The second half sees the characters attempting to weather the 1916 Rising, and while this half is overwhelmingly serious and emotional, it is the dark moments of humour that give some needed relief to the audience and to the characters. In fact, the brief moments of humour highlight the tragedy further as we realise that things cannot go back to as they were in the first half, and this is just a coping mechanism for the players in this situation.
Overall, this was a really satisfying and worthwhile production for me. I'd shied away from so much Irish theatre, and this production was exactly what I needed to see in order to show me what I was missing out on. Despite it's frequent emotional intensity, this is a very accesible play. I laughed, I cried, and I pondered throughout. If anyone gets an opportunity to watch this production as it tours, I'd highly recommend it!
Disclaimer: I'm not a theatre critic by any stretch of the imagination, but I do love seeing plays and shows, and I think this production is thoroughly worth talking about. I hope it didn't come off as a bit wanky to anyone. At times I did feel like I sounded a bit Leaving Cert English :S
Thanks!
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