Orla Fitzgerald gives us a fearsome yet masculine Pegeen Mike, who wins the heart of the wandering Mahon with the skill of her sharp tongue and much to dismay holds a special place in the wimpy Seaneen Keogh’s heart, of whom she is to be wed. However, her unnecessary emphasis on every few words makes the character irritating and uncomfortable to listen to at times.
Brid Ni Neachtain was in my opinion the star of the show in her fabulous portrayal of the flirtatious Widow Quin, and Lalor Roddy as Old Mahon rose from the dead with a comic high energy performance that at once caught the audiences attention and sped up the pace of the play, preparing us for the rollercoaster that was to come in the following scenes.
Conall Morrison adds a more uplifting and comical element to the show through the portrayal of the three village girls besotted by the wonderous Christy Mahon, and the two drunken companions of Michael Flaherty, Philly and Jimmy who created some wonderful and attention drawing scenes of humour that would almost fool the audience into thinking they themselves had downed several glasses of potceen before entering onstage.
Although it has creditable strong points and undoubtedly funny scenes, sometimes I felt bored as the actors ploughed through their lines and paid so much attention to commas and pauses that their words got lost in the lilt of the Mayo accent and an audience member likewise got lost in the plot.
Although at times I felt costume design was poor in portrayal of dress of that era one aspect of the play that cannot be faulted is the seamless lighting which was beautiful. It reflected the highs and lows of the play effortlessly. This was very evident in act 3, where Pegeen Mike softens and becomes more feminine, the light also softens. In the closing line of the show addressed by Pegeen Mike ‘I’ve lost the only Playboy of the Western World’ a single footlight illuminates Fitzgeralds face, giving a much darker and eery essence to the show.
The play shows promise yet lacks in conviction that I feel that addressed more promininently, could have made this production one to most definitely remember and not just another programme to add to your collection.
by
melanieohagan (student)
