THE WEIR. To 28 February.

Northampton

THE WEIR
by Conor McPherson

Royal Theatre In rep to 28 February 2003
14,15,22,26-28 February 7.30pm Mat 22 February 2.30pm
Runs 1hr 45min No interval

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www.northamptontheatres.com
Review Timothy Ramsden 12 February

Ghostly tales in a realistic setting: a rich play beautifully performed.In many ways it's a stark contrast, but Conor McPherson's play of rural storytelling is strong enough to bear the comparison with Waiting for Godot. The two play in repertory as backbone of the Royal's Irish season. And a fine show it is in Rupert Goold's meticulous, fluid production.

The Weir's London premiere was a startling highspot of the Royal Court's West End exile, where it played in a dark space beneath the Ambassadors' Theatre stage: easy there to believe in the ghostly happenings characters describe during the course of an evening's drinking in the Emerald Isle sticks.

Northampton designer Ray Lett provides a cramped pub-room, doors to the road and the outside toilets leaving the cosiness for dark, windswept outdoors. With Tony Simpson's lighting dimming atmospherically if rather obviously for each spooky story, Goold's discreet, detailed direction provides a platform for the fine cast.

Goold has cast the production to emphasise individuality. Gerard Murphy's hefty Jack changes from cheer to challenge in a moment, but his essential good-nature is soon restored. Murphy also shows the loneliness behind the hearty-chap chatter.

In contrast is Paul McCleary's Jim, for whom a few simple words can be accompanied by a significant look, as if profundities have been uttered and might need consideration by the company. Perched on his bar-stool – he's not one to command space – McCleary's Jim is the contented follower.

With David Ganly's frank and good-willed Brendan, a mix of barman and friend, they form a male company convinced – or trying to be convinced – that life alone's the best for them. So when Finbar brings in new local resident Valerie their world is quietly shaken up.

These reserved men show politeness towards Valerie; she returns it with a mix of pleasantness and embarrassment as she's invited to share their ways. John Cormack makes clear Finbar's brash confidence on his return from city life to a small place he knows well.

But Katherine Igoe's Valerie is a quiet sensation, eventually emerging through their self-conscious tales into an unselfconscious, quietly intense eeriness as she recounts her own, very real yet supernatural, experience.

Jack: Gerard Murphy
Brendan: David Ganly
Jim: Paul McCleary
Finbar: JohnCormack
Valerie: Katherine Igoe

Director: Rupert Goold
Designer: Ray Lett
Lighting: Tony Simpson
Sound: Adam Cork

2003-02-14 00:59:06