Popular play written by man behind Banshees of Inisherin set to run in Carlow

A popular play written by the man behind The Banshees of Inisherin is set to run in Carlow. 

Martin McDonagh's 'The Cripple of Inishmaan' is a hilarious, multi-layered black comedy set on Inishmaan of the Aran Islands in the 1930s around the time that the famous 'Man of Aran' film was shot on a neighbouring island. 

It follows a character called Billy Claven (or 'Cripple Billy') who dreams of going to Hollywood to escape his dreary, mundane life on Inishmaan. However, it means leaving behind those on the small island that he loves, and also those that he loves to hate. 

Speaking to Carlow Live, director Mark Cradock called the play "a biting, funny comedy". He said, "The dialogue is very sharp, it's full of satire and wit. There's also mystery in it and a lovely little romance that plays into it as well." 

He particularly praised "the quality of the writing, and the quality of the humour in the writing". 

He said, "The best thing for us is it's probably the most accessible piece of writing by McDonagh, whereas some of his other films and plays can be a bit like marmite, you know, they're not to everyone's taste. Whereas this one probably has the most broad spectrum for people who are entertained by it and find it funny. 

"There were many moments of the play where I laughed out loud, I [have to] try to stay quiet as the tears roll down my cheeks as I'm watching and listening. Really each of the characters have funny bits but there are a couple of scenes I particularly enjoyed, probably three stand out any time we [rehearse]." 

The amateur cast, who Cradock calls "really talented", includes Scott Cooper as 'Cripple Billy', Keelin McDonald, Pauline Hayes, Patrick O’Byrne, Zoe Hayden, Jack Lawlor Mason, Jamie Dockery, Julien Jully and Deirdre Fleming. 

The Carlow Little Theatre Society - which is celebrating 80 years in 2024 with a book about the society due to come out over the next year to commemorate the milestone - encourages local writers to submit new writing for consideration. 

He said, "We have a tradition over the last few years of putting on local writing, some local writers have had their new shows performed. In October we plan to put on at least two new plays which haven't been performed before by local writers." 

Cradock, whose mother was a pioneer in the drama community in Kilkenny, believes there's a growing appetite for more and more Irish stories both at home and abroad. 

He said, "When we write about Ireland, people from other countries find it interesting and relatable to their experience." 

He believes coming to the theatre to watch a play is a very different, intentional experience compared to streaming at home. 

"[With] modern streaming movies, people can lose the experience of sitting in a crowded room within a theatre with everybody laughing or everybody being moved by something happening on stage by the performer, and it's a much more powerful experience than sitting on your own in your living room watching something on the laptop. 

"There's a great buzz to it, and I'd certainly encourage people to come in and experience that feeling, just enjoying [the play] in a group situation." 

He continued: "I think people will find it even more powerful if they're out of practice of it, or even if they haven't experienced it before. After Covid we're still relearning certain things that we like, [like] sitting in a crowded room laughing away with 250 or 300 people laughing with you." 

Cradock said he was "delighted" to be able to present the play to the community to enjoy. 

He said, "It's a community production, it's a community experience." 

The play begins at 8pm each evening from May 25 to 28 in the George Bernard Shaw Theatre at Visual Carlow.

Tickets can be bought here for €21/€19.