If you come to see this play by Conor
McPherson, be prepared to be shocked. This is no sentimental tale
involving lovable Irish rogues but a depiction of brutality and
murder without remorse. It is very definitely adult in content and
totally gripping theatre because of its credibility.
The story is set in Ulster, I guess
sometime in the 1990’s. The action centres on a low level thug who
works for Joe, a gangland boss. Sent to do a simple piece of brutal
intimidation, it all goes wrong for the thug. Murders occur at the
scene. The thug turns something of a hero by rescuing and escaping
with the wife and daughter of his intended victim. He is hunted down
by Vinnie, a real psychopath. Without giving away any details, it is
not a happy ending.
Ray Donoghue’s one man performance can
only be described as brilliant in terms of the portrayal of all the
characters and the physicality he displays in the scenes of
violence.
It is difficult to imagine any other medium
other than live theatre for portraying such an intense play. It is a
production of real quality.
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