Irishtown-A Problem
Cultural Appropriation – the commodifying of a culture by members of another culture in a manner perceived as inappropriate or unacknowledged – is a common, current topic in today’s arts. There’s a fine line between edifying and usurping. Irishtown looks at a culture exploiting its own cliché elements for commercial purposes. The raised-eyebrow-premise bodes farce.
Based on the success of their last production, the Dublin based Irishtown Players have been booked on Broadway. Playwright Aisling (Brenda Meaney), known for Hibernian themes, has this time written a dark, experimental piece about a sexual assault.
Brenda Meaney (Aisling); Angela Reed (Poppy)
At the first table read are: Constance (Kate Burton), an actress of a certain age with not quite bankable reputation who reserves her opinion, assuming “tucks” can be made as rehearsal progresses. The somewhat younger Quinn (Kevin Oliver Lynch), who flat out questions marketability of the play, first in private and then to the assembled.
Aisling ‘s girlfriend Siofra (Saoirse-Monica Jackson) voted Best Newcomer twice, ten years apart, who, though apparently a fine actress, is along because of circumstances. And the director, Poppy (Angela Reed) who was kicked out of The Royal Shakespeare Company for being a sexual predator.
Kevin Oliver Lynch (Quinn), Saoirse-Monica Jackson, (Siofra), Kate Burton (Constance)
Everyone has hopeful eyes on a Tony Award. Poppy has eyes on Soifra. As the countdown to New York proceeds – indicated by projected titles – the cast becomes increasingly vocal about satisfying American expectations. Has there ever been an Irish play with a happy ending? Between her lover’s betrayal and actors’ attacks, Aisling grows fed up and quits.
If the company doesn’t fulfill its contract, it owes $250,000. Desperate, the actors decide to concoct their own particularly Irish play. How hard could it be? “We won’t be writing, we’ll be regurgitating,” Constance assures her peers. They decide the scenario should contain: a pub/drinking, incest and/or a baby, secret yearning, pigs, peasants, hunger, potatoes, maybe a fairy…
Brenda Meaney (Aisling), Kate Burton (Comstance), Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Siofra)
Lengthy improvisation ensues. A few hackneyed characters are skillfully manifest; one visual – Beckett’s man in a jar – evokes grins, but narrative runs out of gas. Resolution finds the company unexpectedly rescued, but that which precedes has lost us.
Acting is excellent across the board. New to me, Saoirse-Monica Jackson particularly shines.
Nicola Murphy Dubey’s direction offers not just personalities, but exemplifying stage business and nifty reactions. A parentheses of dancing, however, appears to belong in another play.
Colm McNally’s rehearsal room set is well configured to take advantage of narrative specifics. It appears move-in ready. Orla Long’s costumes follow suit, each personifying the character.
Photos by Carol Rosegg
Opening: Angela Reed, Kevin Oliver Lynch, Kate Burton, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, and Brenda Meaney
Irishtown-A Problem by Ciara Elizabeth Smyth
Directed by Nicola Murphy Dubey
Through May 25, 2025
Irish Repertory Theatre
132 West 22nd Street
