Irish townsfolk the real stars of ‘Inishmaan’

‘HARRY POTTER’ STAR AS BILLY THE CRIPPLE: Daniel Radcliffe in ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan.’ Photo: Johann Persson

THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN
Written by Martin McDonagh
Directed by Michael Grandage
Cort Theatre
138 West 48th Street, (212-239-6200), www.crippleofinishmaan.com

By Scott Harrah

Daniel Radcliffe has more than put the Harry Potter days behind him with his prolific body of stage work on both sides of the Atlantic. From Equus to How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying to starring in this Martin McDonagh import from London, Mr. Radcliffe has shed the famous film franchise and reinvented himself as a headliner on Broadway and the West End. So it might seem odd that, although he’s the star here, his is the least interesting character. In this dark comedy set on the rustic island of Inishmaan, in the Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland, the rural townsfolk have all the great lines, much of which are about Mr. Radcliffe’s Billy the Cripple, an orphan born with a disfigured left side, including a mangled leg and shriveled-up hand.  The play, thin on plot, seems more like a character study of rural Irish life in 1934 than anything else. If you can overlook the thick brogues and some uneven twists, much of what’s here is “fecking” hilarious (to borrow from the crazy vernacular of the island). If you’ve ever lived in a small town anywhere, know how gossipy rural people can be and have even a drop of Irish blood (or can appreciate the quirky charms of the Irish), the characters are especially familiar and raucously funny.

When news breaks that a Hollywood crew is shooting a film on a neighboring island, Billy hopes they will discover him, offering a chance to escape the island and go to America.

In Act One, we meet the many eccentric residents of the island, their off-the-wall slang and love of repeating things just for the hell of it. There are Billy’s “aunties”, sisters Eileen (Gillian Hanna) and Kate (Ingrid Craigie) Osbourne, both of whom raise him and also run the local grocery. They never have much available besides canned peas. Bartley McCormick (Conor MacNeill) likes to torment one of the sisters by asking if he can buy “sweeties” like “Minty-Os,” but her reply is always that she only has for sale that which he can see (canned peas). This repetitive, sing-song humor runs throughout the show, and the dialogue is often crisp and hilarious.

Billy secretly fancies Helen McCormick (Sarah Greene), the mean, red-headed sister of Bartley.  Her job is delivering eggs, but she spends most of her time in the Osbourne’s shop taunting Billy or her brother (and cracking eggs on people’s heads).

There is the town gossip Johnnypateenmike (Pat Shortt), who is eager to spread any tale, true or not, and is especially interested in prattle about Billy. He likes to keep his 90-year-old Mammy (June Watson) drunk, while she can’t wait to see him dead.  Others in the town include Babbybobby (Padraic Delaney), who rows people to nearby islands in a boat, and Doctor (Gary Lilburn).

The character of Billy is essentially a foil to everyone in Inishmaan. In Act One, Mr. Radcliffe gets few chances to show off his acting chops, but everyone else certainly does, as this is an ensemble piece. (Yes, listing Daniel Radcliffe as the headliner might be misleading, but big names sell tickets.) Tension mounts when we learn how Billy plans to leave the island, and whether he will ever return.

Playwright Martin McDonagh has a rare gift for black comedy and depicting reality with a twisted, farcical sensibility. He was at his most effective in this genre on Broadway in 2006’s The Lieutenant of Inishmore , a play about IRA terrorists on the island adjacent to Inishmaan.  This is actually the first in a series by Mr. McDonagh set in the Aran Islands (Inishmore was the second), first produced in London in 1996.

The humor in Inishmaan lies primarily in the exaggerated ways everyone reacts to Billy. We actually get to know just as much (if not more) about the supposed supporting characters than Billy himself, and things start making very little sense as Billy’s story unravels in Act Two.

Mr. McDonagh has penned better plays (The Pillowman and The Beauty Queen of Leenanne, for example). However, although this is far from a flawless work, the overall tale is wryly amusing and the characters unusually whimsical.

Director Michael Grandage does an amazing job of getting such distinct performances from everyone, and each is equally memorable and superb. Mr. Radcliffe, of course, is magnificent as always. Just don’t come to Inishmaan expecting it to all be about him. Do come, however, if you want to laugh for two and a half hours at crisp dialogue and some of the funniest, most unconventional characters on Broadway this season.

HOLLYWOOD DREAMS: In ‘Cripple of Inishmaan,’ Daniel Radcliffe dreams of being discovered by a film crew on a neighboring island. Photo: Johann Persson

The Cripple of Inishmann – 6 Tony Nominations, including: Best Drama Revival, Best Dramatic Supporting Actress – Sarah Greene, Best Director – Michael Grandage, Best Set Design, Best Lighting Design, & Best Sound Design.

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published April 25, 2014
Reviewed at press performance April 24, 2014