• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides

The Ferryman at the Royal Court

May 17, 2017 by Adam McCormack Leave a Comment

Review of: The Ferryman at the Royal Court
Price:
£38

Reviewed by: Adam McCormack
Rating:
4
On May 17, 2017
Last modified:May 17, 2017

Summary:

Jez Butterworth's much-anticipated new play is brilliantly acted and has a great deal to say about loyalty, love and loss. Under Sam Mendes direction the audience is engrossed for the full 3 hours plus and, while there is a danger of trying to tackle too many issues, this production is a stark reminder of those that faced Northern Ireland in 1981.

More Details

It is harvest-time in rural Derry, 1981. The Carney family seem role models for all that is good about farming life. They are working hard, ready to play hard in a traditional end-of-harvest celebratory meal. However, the man of the house, Quinn (Paddy Considine) has an IRA past, which is about to catch-up with him. The IRA is benefiting from a wave of public sympathy in response to the deaths of 10 hunger strikers, but this is in danger of being undermined by the finding of Quinn’s brother Seamus’s body, a man executed some 10 years earlier. Paramilitary leader Muldoon (Stuart Graham) needs to get Quinn’s assurance that he will not give details to the press. Quinn, a father of seven, has to finally face the reality of his brother Seamus’s death, a man he had persuaded to join the IRA – and deal with his widow Caitlin (Laura Donnelly) who, with her son, has been living with the Carney’s since Seamus’s disappearance. From the outset it is clear that Quinn and Caitlin have developed a close relationship, enhanced by the supposed infirmity of Quinn’s wife Mary (Genevieve O’Reilly).

Jez Butterworth’s latest play, The Ferryman, has then, at its heart, some deep issues of family loyalty as well much to say about the Troubles. The issues are tackled with great sensitivity and the play manages much humour while being continually gripping. There are, however, perhaps too many issues to be tackled in one play. Having some of the younger wider family members get drawn into the revolutionary republican cause does contribute, but add in a senile grand-mother (who lapses into great insight) a rabidly anti-British aunt and an whimsical uncle, seemingly in denial, and we get a little close to overload. On top of this, there is an English simpleton and a feint-hearted priest.

Director Sam Mendes manages to help keep an overall balance, but he is not helped by the only interval in a 3 and a quarter hour play coming just one hour in. There is a lot to digest and the pace might be helped by a reduction of the harvest celebrations, which have a similar effect to the wedding scene in The Deer Hunter.

Nevertheless, the dialogue never fails to crackle and there is genuine suspense. There are also some standout performances particularly from Paddy Considine and Laura Donnelly. Mendes and Butterworth are not averse to taking risks, and having babe in arms frequently on stage, as well as a goose and a rabbit, will undoubtedly present the actors with some challenges.

The Ferryman runs at the Royal Court until 20th May, and is the fastest selling production in its history. It transfers to the West End in June.

Author: Adam McCormack
T: Twitter

Filed Under: Review

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Fraser Grace talks about Bliss at the Finborough Theatre

Written by Fraser Grace (Breakfast with Mugabe, RSC), Bliss is based on a short story by censored writer Andrey Platonov. It’s at Finborough [Read More]

NEWS / Japanese Romeo and Juliet to the songs of Queen announced

Coming to Sadler’s Wells in September as part of its world tour, A Night At The Kabuki is a retelling [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Paul O’Donnell talks about Shoot Festival

Shoot Festival returns this year with a mix of commissioned pieces and showcases of the best of Coventry’s arts scene. [Read More]

Review / The Man who Knew Too Much at Omnibus Theatre

A packed Omnibus Theatre lapped up the entertaining antics of The Man Who Knew Too Much. Co-Director and Co-writer Olivia [Read More]

Spotlight / Inua Ellams at 05Fest Lewisham

Inua Ellams, the Albany and WE ARE LEWISHAM  presents………. 05Fest, 10 – 19 March Poetry takes front and centre stage [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Reality TV Auditions
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • How to Applying for Arts Grants and Funding
  • Katy Owen: Auditioning for Oxford School of Drama
  • Terrible Thames (Horrible Histories live onboard)
  • Writing the Perfect Press Release
  • Angus Yellowlees on blindfold interactive digital theatre
  • Complicité's A Minute Too Late at the National Theatre
  • Fraser Grace talks about Bliss at the Finborough Theatre
  • The Living Record Festival 2022 announces line up
  • Adam McCormack
    Contributor

  • May 17th, 2017
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook1TweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2022 · Blue Pie Media

     

    Loading Comments...
     

      Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

      Email sent!