NY Trip Day 1 - THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE Review

[QMAN03]

Posted: 3/28/06 at 12:15am

Ok, I am technically writing this after my second day here, but I had no time last night, so here it is. Oh, and please bear with me, this is the first review I have written and it's not going to be good. Actually, it will just be me rambling on about the show. Ok, here goes.

This is a really hard show to review because I can sum it up in a few words: FECKIN (as they say in the show) BRILLIANT. From beginning to end I was in tears from laughter. Literally, rolling down my face. I have never expierienced non-stop laughter like that in a theatre before (for a play atleast. Avenue Q and Spamalot also had me rolling). I could go into specifics about the acting and directing and such, but they were all perfect so it'd be hard to elaborate on anything. But I'll try.

Acting = Brilliant. Everyone was equally wonderful and amazing. They knew exactly who their characters were and what their purpose in the show was. And they were all super nice at the stage door even though it was freezing out (well, cold for someone from San Diego). That's really all there is to say.

The staging was also pretty great. A few of my favorite scenes was the second scene where the torture victim just popped out of nowhere after the blackout. That scared me so badly because I was in the third row and he was like right there. Anyway, pretty amazing stuff. Oh, and there's a certain scene in act two where alot of "something" (don't want to give away anything, but for those who have seen it should know what I'm talking about) is everywhere that took my breath away.

But above everything, the script was just...there are no words to describe it. I was speechless. Just so damn genius. McDonagh is easily one of my favorite playrights now with this and Pillowman.

The only worry I have with this show is that it may not come off as well on Broadway in a 900 seat theatre. Alot of the exileration with this show is being so close to the action. You can litterally feel the blood which I'm afraid may get lost in the transfer. But it will allow for more people to see it, and that's probably the most important thing. I guarantee you will never see anything like this again. It is a night of theatre I will not soon forget. So please, if you have the time, make it down to the Atlantic Theatre Club to go see this. But alas, if you cannot, make sure to stop into the Lyceum and witness a genius show.

Ok, that's my review. Look for my second review on this board of Altar Boyz which I saw tonight. Let's just say it isn't as nice as this one.
Updated On: 3/28/06 at 12:15 AM

[QMAN03]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 12:22am

I can see people care.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 12:46am

Thanks for posting QMAN03.

What is the set-up for the plot of Inishmore?

(Are you also familiar with the plays of Conor McPherson, also in the recent Irish play genre? He's more of an old-fashioned story-teller in his plays, but I like them very much. And Sebastian Barry is a stellar playwright, also in the Irish theme.)

Keep posting, sometimes it takes a while for people to find it, especially if you don't have a Disney or heavily marketed play that you're attending.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 12:52am

I certainly care. As I have said before, MM is not one of my faves...but I will go into this one with an open mind. Im glad you liked it, can't wait to hear your thoughts on RABBIT HOLE!

[QMAN03]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 1:00am

Ok, the set-up sounds very stupid, but trust me, it's genius. Anybody who hasn't seen it and is planning on seeing it, please don't read past this point.

You're still here? Ok. The very first scene is two men, one old and one young looking at a dead cat. We find out in a few minutes that it is the beloved cat of an extreme revolutionary who kills anybody who makes him mad. And it happens that this cat was the only friend the man had. That's the set-up. It's simple, yet genius.

[QMAN03]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 11:58am

Bump

[Katurian2]

Posted: 4/16/06 at 3:13pm

Thank you for this great review! I just finished reading the play, and found myself laughing out loud at the text. I would love to have more detail on the working of the multitudes of blood and gore.

[Colle]

Posted: 4/17/06 at 3:26pm

QMAN03, I have a question. Could you please go into more detail of what you liked about Allison Pill's performance?