Outside Mullingar at the Pacific Theatre until June 10th
The play opens in a run-down farmhouse, during a terrible rainstorm on the day of a funeral, but contrary to its bleak setting the play quickly establishes itself as a snappy comedy. This contrast of tones carries throughout the play as the characters bring levity and laughs to even their more somber moments.
“Outside Mullingar” takes place in rural Ireland where two families – the Muldoon’s and the Reilly’s – have lived as neighbors for generations. The “kids” of each family, Rosemary and Anthony, are nearing mid-life and have been dragging around years of feelings for one another (some good, some bad) all along. Meanwhile, the parents are in their reflective, older years.
As the story unfolds, you see each character grapple with questions, worries, and hopes for what lies ahead:
Tony Reilly (Ron Reed) is a candid father who’s fearing the future of his farm and reflecting on his family and legacy.
Anthony Reilly (John Emmet Tracy), Tony’s son, has lived his life as a reclusive misfit and questions his own capacity for hope and happiness.
Aoife Muldoon (Erla Faye Forsyth) is a newly-widowed matriarch who fears for her single daughter’s future.
Rosemary Muldoon (Rebecca DeBoer) is the lonesome daughter who’s forever frustrated with unrequited love and her small-town worries.
The cast of four pulled off the production perfectly, bringing an entertaining dynamic to the stage. Right down their brogue accents and nuanced mannerisms, they managed to make the characters real and the emotions palpable.
All elements of the show helped shine light on the powerful performances of the cast themselves. The set design and props were enchanting; and the lighting/sound techniques were innovative in transporting us to Ireland throughout the two-hour performance.
While a majority of the plot is somewhat of a feminist’s nightmare – I spent much of the second act thinking that Rosemary needed to stop hoping for a man and instead find herself a sassy and supportive best friend – one of the best bits in the show was Rosemary’s determination to remain undeterred, even as a single woman running a farm:
ANTHONY: “It’s a two man job!”
ROSEMARY: “Or one woman.”
That’s right, Rosemary! Lean in. Sheryl Sandberg style.
The playwright, John Patrick Shanley, has forged a fruitful career writing primarily Irish-American characters in productions such as “Moonstruck” and “Doubt”. With “Outside Mullingar”, he returns to his family’s roots and history as farmers in Ireland.
Pacific Theatre has been host to bountiful shows and countless performers since its start in 1984, moving to their current South Granville home in 1994. For a small venue, they always manage to produce grand-scale magic. “Outside Mullingar” is no exception.
Do not miss your chance to see the Pacific Theatre’s last show of the season, playing now through June 10th.
All photos by Jalen Laine Photography, Courtesy of Pacific Theatre
“Outside Mullingar” by John Patrick Shanley
May 19 – June 10; 8pm Wednesday – Saturday
2pm matinees all Saturdays and Sunday, May 28 and June 4
Pacific Theatre, 1440 W 12th Ave
Tickets: $23.95-34.95 (taxes and fees not included)
