Vancouver’s Pacific Theatre closes its 2016-2017 season with John Patrick Shanley’s latest work, Outside Mullingar, a charming story of Ireland and the prickly, brooding people who have lived off its land for generations.
Rosemary and Anthony are a fine example — a pair of introverted misfits whose families have lived next to each other for as far back as anyone can remember. They pass the years squabbling over property lines and why Anthony pushed Rosemary when they were seven years old, while their ageing parents wonder about what will happen to their land when they die.
Pacific Theatre has a long history of producing John Patrick Shanley’s work; Shanley has a knack for writing stories that dig into the depths of the experience of humanity.
“Like a great character actor, John Patrick Shanley re-invents himself with each story he tells,” says Artistic Director Ron Reed on the script. “From Doubt to Danny and the Deep Blue Sea to Joe vs. the Volcano. If this new one is like anything, maybe it’s Moonstruck – an impossible love story with the most hilarious, exhilarating language you’ll ever hear on a stage.”
Director Angela Konrad echoes this sentiment: “Shanley’s work is diverse and varied, but whether it’s the darkness and pain of Danny and the Deep Blue Sea or the intellectual rigour of Doubt, his characters are always rich, multi-faceted, and undeniably human.”
In a time where it can be hard to believe in the possibility of love, Konrad suggests that this play might make you into a believer: “Someone said to me once that one of the things theatre can do for us is make us believe that love is possible. This play does that.”
Outside Mullingar stars Erla Faye Forsyth, Ron Reed, John Emmet Tracy and Rebecca deBoer.
Pacific Theatre presents Outside Mullingar
Dates: May 19 to June 10; Wed. to Sat., 8 pm; Saturdays plus Sunday, May 28, June 4, 2 pm matinees
Venue: Pacific Theatre, 1440 West 12th Ave (at Hemlock), Vancouver
Tickets: $23.95 to $34.95 (not incl. taxes or fee); available online and via phoning 604.731.5518
Cast photo by Matt Reznek.
