The Lieutenant of Inishmore at Liverpool Everyman
Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
60th birthday celebrations continue at Liverpool Everyman with Martin McDonagh’s sharp, savage and witty masterpiece, The Lieutenant of Inishmore.
Offering a blazing satire on terrorism and an acute observation of violence in contemporary culture, this critically acclaimed (though rarely performed) play follows the story of Padraic, a ruthless Irish National Liberation Army enforcer, who returns home to Inishmore to discover that his beloved cat, Wee Thomas, has been killed.
Padraic loved that cat more than life itself, and so the stage is set for a series of darkly humorous and brutal events that reveal the absurdity of violence and terrorism. Expect explosive confrontations and a dispute capable of blowing a small community apart – this is a breathless and blood-splattered tale of revenge. They don’t call him ‘Mad Padraic’ for nothing.
Directed by Chris Sonnex, this gruesome high-octane show and the winner of the Olivier Award for Best Comedy boasts an all-Irish and Northern Irish cast. Julian Moore-Cook (Peaky Blinders, BBC and Underdog: The Other Other Brontë, National Theatre and Northern Stage) plays Padraic alongside Alan Turkington as Donny, Michael Tient as Brendan and Taylor McClaine as Davey. Katherine Devlin (Blue Lights, BBC) steps up to take the role of young Mairead.
Of course, the Everyman are renowned for championing emerging talent and The Lieutenant of Inishmore will see two Liverpool John Moores graduates join the cast: Cameron McKendrick as Christy and Jason Kelly, making his professional stage debut as Joey.
Of the show, Mark Da Vanzo, the Everyman and Playhouse’s Chief Executive told us, “As part of the Everyman’s 60th birthday celebrations, this production underscores our commitment to daring, thought-provoking and relevant work. Blending dark comedy and biting satire, Martin McDonagh’s brilliant play is sure to be a hugely entertaining and surprising night at the theatre.”
The Lieutenant of Inishmore is a disturbingly funny show – a stunning satire and a definite must-see show this autumn.
