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The Weir
By Conor McPherson
Directed by Christopher Prentice
Produced by Signal Ensemble Theatre
At Chopin Theatre
1543 W. Division
Chicago, IL
Call 773-347-1350, tickets $10 - $15
Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Wednesday, March 21 at 8 pm
Running time is 95 minutes with no intermission
Through March 24, 2007
Fantastic Irish ghost story telling shines with warm characters
Signal Ensemble Theatre is emerging as one of the most talented theatre groups in Chicago with their increasing body of outstanding work. Ronan Marra, Christopher Prentice and Joseph Stearns have the discipline, the courage and the excellent taste to mount a fine mixture of stage worthy plays with an emphasis on ensemble vehicles that both entertain and impress. Their latest, The Weir, is a beautifully written Irish drama by Conor McPherson that Chris Prentice directs that features some of the finest ensemble performances I’ve seen on stage in quite awhile.
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Set in a pub (terrific set design by Melania Lancy) in contemporary rural Ireland, The Weir, is an engaging drama that features several old-style Irish ghost stories in a setting where friendship and a sense of community reign. This is a brilliant production of a fantastic play with five outstanding performances that unfolds as one mesmerizing night at the theatre. This is one of the finest plays of the year! Signal Ensemble is emerging as a ‘must see’ group.
The Weir finds the locals at Brendan’s (Joseph Stearns) pub where Jack (Ted Hoerl) and Jim (Vincent P. Mahler), all three bachelors, are visiting and pouring down a few pints and several short ones. Irish wit and humor deftly presented here charms us as we quickly like these warm and honest simple country folks. McPherson slowly unfolds the atmosphere necessary for the fantastically vivid ghost stories to follow when Finbar, a married man, (in a charismatic turn from John Zinn) brings a woman from Dublin to the pub. Finbar has rented a house to Valerie (the stunning Melanie Keller).
As the drinks flow, the bachelors swap ghost stories to impress Valerie. These stories intoxicate us with their compact and chilling detail told so passionately by the fine cast. Both haunting and funny, the eerie play demonstrates the transcendent quality of rural communities. It emphasizes our basic need for acceptance. The stores bind these folks forever.
When Valerie tells her horrible story, the empathy of the four villagers becomes a binding element that gives this strong work its humanity and heart. What comes across so well in McPherson’s great writing is the genuine warmth exuded from the five actors. This play will make you feel good to be a part of human race as you share the basic goodness of people. We feel their pain, their loneliness and their desire for acceptance while they poke fun at each other as only the Irish do. John Zinn and Ted Hoerl anchor this amazing show. For $15, you’ll not find a finer night at the theatre. Credit dialect coach Phil Timberlake for the lusciously rich, yet understandable, Irish brogues sported by this talented cast. The Weir reminded me of my short time in Ireland. Who doesn’t like a thrilling Irish ghost story?
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date reviewed: February 24, 2007
Jeff Recommended
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