Druid Shakespeare: Richard III

Druid Shakespeare: Richard III

Lincoln Center’s White Light Festival

Gerald Lynch Theater at John Jay College

November 10, 2019

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center's White Light Festival

The U.S. Production Premier of Druid Shakespeare: Richard III is mind blowing.  It is part of Lincoln Center’s White Light Festival.  The company is based in Ireland.  The production is masterfully directed by Gerry Hynes.  Aaron Monaghan brings depth, cunning, and malicious humor to the title role.  He captivates the attention of the audience, dragging them into his murderous rise to power.

Aaron Monaghan as Richard III
Photo courtesy of Druid Shakepeare: Richars III
& Lincoln Center's White Lights Festival

Richard, Duke of Gloucester (played by Aaron Monaghan), plots against his brother, King Edward (played by Bosco Hogan), to gain the throne for himself.  He woos Lady Anne (played by Siobhán Cullen) after brutally murdering her husband and father-in-law.  He then creates a rift between Edward and their other brother, Clarence (played by Marty Rea).  He confines Edward’s heirs to the tower, then arranges for Clarence to be executed.  Once crowned king, Richard must do away with Edward’s heirs and marry his daughter, Elizabeth, to insure his sovereignty.  His bloody reign comes to an end before the marriage can be arranged.

Photo courtesy of Druid Shakepeare: Richars III
& Lincoln Center's White Lights Festival

This company of thirteen phenomenal actors illuminates Shakespeare’s classic with clarity and vigor.  Each character is distinctly drawn, crisply interpreted, and urgently driven.  Every actor portrays their character with stunning conviction, confronting threatening conflict with a myriad of tactics that emotionally engage the audience and enthrall the senses.

Druid Shakespeare: Richard III is playing at the Gerald Lynch Theater at John Jay College through November 23.  You MUST see this production.  Get a ticket today!

Domenick Danza

The Beauty Queen of Leenane

The Beauty Queen of Leenane

Druid

BAM Harvey Theater

January 14, 2017

Photo courtesy of Druid

The Druid production of the Beauty Queen of Leenane is playing at the BAM Harvey Theater through February 5.  It is directed by Garry Hines, who directed the original production twenty years ago.  Marie Mullen, who won the Tony Award in 1998 for playing Maureen, returns in the role of Mag, Maureen’s arduous mother.  The production, touring from Galway City in the West of Ireland, is not to be missed.  The play is powerful, and the performances are stellar.  

Aisling O'Sullivan & Marie Mullen
Photo courtesy of Druid

Maureen Folan (played by Aisling O’Sullivan) cares for her seventy year old mother, Mag (played by Marie Mullen).  The situation is stifling for Maureen.  Her mother is demanding and degrading.  When Maureen reconnects with an old school friend, Pato Dooley (played by Marty Rea), Mag pulls out all the stops to keep her daughter under her thumb.  The results are catastrophic and heart-rending.

Marty Rae & Aisling O'Sullivan
Photo courtesy of Druid

Aisling O’Sullivan delivers a powerful performance as Maureen.  As the play progresses, her shocking backstory is revealed.  Ms. O’Sullivan expands with each detail and builds a deeply rooted and truthful character.  Marie Mullen is brutal and absorbing as Mag Folan.  The bond these two women create between their characters drives the action toward its tragic climax.  Mary Rae is tender and honest as Pato Dooley, and Aaron Monaghan delivers the laughs as his brother, Ray Dooley.

The BAM Harvey Theater is the perfect venue for this “modern Irish classic,” produced by the company where it originated.  “This production toured to Ireland’s major cities before embarking on this coast-to-coast tour of prestigious US venues and will complete its extensive international run at the esteemed Hong Kong Arts Festival.”*  It is not to be missed.  Get your tickets right away!

Domenick Danza

* Quotes are from the BAM Harvey Theater program notes.