The Beauty Queen of Leenane returns! — Page 3

Thank you, Lida!

What kept Maureen back? To my knowledge, this is never explored.

Maureen ended up back home in Galway after having a nervous breakdown while working as a cleaner in London and being bullied mercilessly by the other women. She ended up in some form of care (Difford Hall, if I recall correctly) but was signed out by her mother. What I really liked about Aisling O Sullivans portrayal in the current tour was Maureen came across very juvenile to me - more so than I thought when reading the play. I feel that Maureen cant leave by herself because of anxiety and fear; thats why she clings onto Pato - she can leave with him. If she could have left by herself, the presence of Pato wouldn't be so important. With so much abuse, she certainly has enough reasons to warrant her leaving but until Pato she never had a way out.