I don't know about you, but whenever I go to see a play by Shakespeare, my biggest fear is not understanding what the actors are saying. Those beautiful words, those stunning sentences, can scare the heck out of me. But if the actors are doing a good job in their roles, then you know what is going on and hence, no fear.
That brings us to The Playboy of the Western World. Now, mind you - it isn't a play by Shakespeare. It is by a highly esteemed Irish playwright named John Millington Synge. Bear with me for a moment and I swear, I'll get to my point.
I saw this play for the very first time, last night, at Artist Repertory Theatre. This particular story is a three-act play first performed at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, in 1907. It is set in Michael James Flaherty's public house in County Mayo (on the west coast of Ireland) during the early 1900s. It tells the story of Christy Mahon, a young man running away from his farm, claiming he killed his father. The locals are more interested in vicariously enjoying his story than in condemning the immorality of his murderous deed. He captures the romantic attention of the bar-maid Pegeen Mike, the daughter of Flaherty.
Director, Damaso Rodriguez brought the Artists Rep's presentation to us to enjoy with the help of very talented actors. After reading his message in the program guide about the play, where he mentions his joy in the Synge's use of 'glorious language', I had been given a clue as to what to expect and I felt a bit nervous. He used this example to illustrate his point:
"Let you wait to hear me talking, till we're astray in Erris, when Good Friday's by, drinking a sup from a well, and making mighty kisses with our wetted mouths, or gaming in a gap or sunshine, with yourself stretched back unto your necklace, in the flowers of the earth."
Mighty kisses? Wow. I neglected to mention that Mr. Synge, the fellow who wrote this play, was also a poet.
This play included beautiful words and stunning sentences that often scare me off. But I didn't float away in spite of that fear; instead, the actors kept me right there with them with every robust expression of curiosity, playful exchange of rousing passion and humor-filled dialog that had me laughing out loud, without hesitation. There were a couple of characters that I especially enjoyed, but I don't dare play favorites.
I had the pleasure of meeting one of those actors, Issac Lamb, at the after party. He portrays Shawn Keough, a bit of a pansy ass, bumbling fool in the story. I didn't realize how I recognized Issac until he stood next to a gal in a bright yellow top. And then, I figured it out.
Two treats for the price of one: a fabulous play and a star sighting - my kind of night out.
The Playboy of the Western World is running until June 22 and I encourage you to check out a performance. Learn more here!
