Dublin Carol – Bleak

Like Mr. Scrooge, middle-aged mortician’s assistant John (Jeffrey Bean) is visited by history on Christmas Eve. The locale is a dingy, Dublin office meant to welcome those mourners who can’t afford anywhere else. Currently decorated for the holiday, the otherwise colorless atmosphere reflects its inhabitant’s loneliness and depression. (Set Design – Charlie Corcoran)

After a funeral, dour memories seep into what begins a genial, if hung-over conversation with young, clean cut associate Mark (Cillian Hegarty). John is long estranged from his own daughter and son. His boss and redeemer Noel “Noely” is in hospital leaving the protagonist untethered. There’s no one to watch over, counsel, and apparently regulate drinking. The older man assures Mark he has it under control.

Sarah Street (Mary) and Jeffrey Bean (John)

Mark finally extricates himself. On his heels daughter, Mary (Sarah Street), unexpectedly arrives with news her mother is dying. Despite a childhood filled with bad memories, she manages to muster a few positive ones and is sure Helen will want to see him before passing.

The alcoholic is endlessly self-flagellating. Mary barely gets through. Nonetheless, she’ll be back at 5:00. John goes out, returning with biscuits and a bottle of scotch twice the size of the one out of which he’d poured snorts for Mark and himself.

By the time the boy returns for his money, John is out cold having just about finished the bottle. Awakened, he walks as if on deck tossed by ocean turbulence. Conversation is stilted. John is foggy; apologetic, whiny. His Christmas will be spent visiting Noely, then watching telly. Wait – what time is it?! He washes up, puts dishes away, turns the radio to a carol, and, as the light fades, waits for Mary.

Jeffrey Bean (John)

This is not one of Conor McPherson’s better efforts. Both charisma and sympathy are notably absent. Much of the piece is self-pitying monologue. Acting is fine, though nothing distinguishes John’s predictable blandness. Director Ciarán O’Reilly provides natural stage business and good pacing.

Photos by Carol Rosegg
Opening: Jeffrey Bean and Cillian Hegerty

Dublin Carol by Conor McPherson
Directed by Ciarán O’Reilly
Irish Repertory Theatre  
132 West 22nd Street
Through November 10, 2019

About Alix Cohen (1868 Articles)
Alix Cohen is the recipient of ten New York Press Club Awards for work published on this venue. Her writing history began with poetry, segued into lyrics and took a commercial detour while holding executive positions in product development, merchandising, and design. A cultural sponge, she now turns her diverse personal and professional background to authoring pieces about culture/the arts with particular interest in artists/performers and entrepreneurs. Theater, music, art/design are lifelong areas of study and passion. She is a voting member of Drama Desk and Drama League. Alix’s professional experience in women’s fashion fuels writing in that area. Besides Woman Around Town, the journalist writes for Cabaret Scenes, Broadway World, TheaterLife, and Theater Pizzazz. Additional pieces have been published by The New York Post, The National Observer’s Playground Magazine, Pasadena Magazine, Times Square Chronicles, and ifashionnetwork. She lives in Manhattan. Of course.