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Juno & the Paycock
By Sean O’Casey
Directed by John Mossman
Produced by The Artistic Home
At Live Bait Theater
3914 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL
Call 866-811-4111, tickets $22 - $25
Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 7 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 20 minutes with 2 intermissions
Through June 29, 2008
"Th' whole worl's in a terrible state o' chassis"
“Never tired o’ lookin’ for a rest"
"it's nearly time we had a little less respect for the dead, an' a little more regard for the living."
"Isn't all religions curious?-if they weren't you wouldn't get anyone to believe in them"
--quotes from “Juno & the Paycock”
Emotionally wrenching “Juno & the Paycock” is a major triumph for The Artistic Home
In their new home at the former Live Bait Theater, The Artistic Home is back with a major work—Sean O’Casey’s (1880-1964) “Juno & the Paycock.” The 1924 play tells the story of the Boyle family—a poor family living in the Dublin tenements. These ‘shabby genteel’ folks struggle to survive as Juno Boyle (Kathy Scambiatterra in a strong performance) is the only working member of the family. Captain Jack Boyle (Frank Nall in fabulous turn) is the unemployed father who has a taste for whiskey and an aversion to work. He spends his time drinking and strutting about like a ‘paycock.’ His pal Joxer Daley (the funny Mark Ulrich) never met a drink they didn’t enjoy. The two love to tell stories.
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Mary Boyle (Marta Evans) is the educated single daughter on strike in sympathy for a fellow worker. Mary is dating Charles Bentham (Victor Doylida), a solicitor. She is the family’s hope since her brother Johnny (Damiel Evashevski) lost his arm in the Easter Rebellion and got shot in an Irish Civil War action as an IRA operative. He is despondent over his injury. He has guilt for betraying a fellow IRA agent. He fears being held accountable by the IRA.
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Act one is filled with funny scenes depicting the dysfunctional Irish family dominated by drink and sloth. We learn about each of the Boyles and their neighbors. Act two demonstrates a hopeful turn as a cousin of Jack Boyle left him 2,000 Pounds Sterling in his will. Charles Bentham brings the good news. The Boyle’s celebrate by buying furniture on credit. Jack Boyle aggressively borrows money all around the neighborhood in anticipation of receiving his inheritance. The drinks flow. The family celebration is interrupted by the funeral of the Tancred boy killed in the Civil War by anti-IRA forces.
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Act three shows the Boyle family’s destruction as Charles Bentham leaves Ireland for England when he learns that the Boyle’s will not receive any money for the will. Mary learns she is pregnant by Bentham. Johnny is taken by the IRA and shot for betraying Tancred. The Boyle’s have their furniture repossessed as Jack is drinking the last few coins he possesses. Juno and Mary decide to leave Jack who has disowned Mary for embarrassing the family. Juno strength allows her to state that the baby may not have a father "but it will have two mothers!"
Kathy Scambiatterra, as Juno leads the excellent cast sporting fine Irish brogues. We witness outstanding work from Fran Nall as Jack, Mark Ulrich as Joxer and Daniel Evashevski as Johnny Boyle. John Mossman’s tight and emotionally wrenching pacing builds the tension into the explosive ending. “Juno & the Paycock” is a powerful drama with universal themes. It is set in 1922 Dublin but it could be in Kosovo or Iraq. The Artistic Home’s production of “Juno & the Paycock” is one of the finest plays seen on stage in Chicago this year. Don’t miss this intimate play. Storefront theatre doesn’t get any better.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chciagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2008
Jeff Recommended
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