Wind and rain and dark of night set the stage for Conor McPherson's arresting tale of the world of ghosts and the fey. Set in a pub in rural Ireland, it brings together four men who have a long history with one another and a young woman who has arrived from Dublin. Wisely performed without an intermission, the atmospheric tale is gripping and ingeniously constructed.
Jack (Richard Doyle) and pub owner Brendan (Tony Ward) set the scene. They talk of local goings-on, then Jim (Daniel Reichert) arrives, followed by Finbar (James Lancaster) and Valerie (Kirsten Potter). After a bit of banter, they begin monologues that have a supernatural element. Some are rooted in the superstitious nature inherent in many folk, and others are nearly prideful, part of the legends rooted in Irish lore.
Doyle is a larger-than-life old pro, playing an aging, hard-drinking workingman. Suspicion and swagger form the outer crust of his characterization, but in a monologue near the end of the play, after a revelation by Valerie, he emerges as sensitive and remarkably human. Potter also has a meaty role in Valerie, who reveals a tragedy in her life that has her wondering if she is mad or merely grief-stricken. Throughout the play her melancholic demeanor fits the role, and the story she tells is a fine piece of acting.
Reichert is lovely as a quiet, simple man whose pronouncements often add a touch of humor.
Lancaster's braggadocio and hearty manner could overwhelm his mates, but each holds his own in varying ways. Ward plays his lesser role perfectly, making a fine contrast to the other affecting characterizations.
Director Warner Shook skillfully captures all the elements that McPherson has woven throughout the story: sorrow, volatility, anger, and friendship. The nature of the play coupled with his expert direction and the ensemble's fine-tuned acting create a theatrical mood that enthralls.
Set designer Thomas Buderwitz's authentic pub, Jim Ragland's atmospheric sound design, and Peter Maradudin's mellow lighting also add dimension to the story. It is about friendship, loneliness, and loss, and it is a crackerjack of a play.
Presented by and at South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. Mar. 19–Apr. 3. Tues.–Fri., 7:45 p.m.; Sat., 2 & 7:45 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. (714) 708-5555. www.scr.org.