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A Whistle in the Dark
By Tom Murphy
Produced by Seanachai Theatre Company
At Victory Gardens Theater
2257 N. Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL
Call 773-871-3000, tickets $24 - $28
Thursdays & Fridays at 8:30 PM
Saturdays at 8 PM
Sundays at 3:30 PM
Running time is 2 hrs, 30 min with 2 intermissions
Through May 14, 2006
Disturbing look at Irish mentality packs a wallop
Seanachai “shawn-uh-kee” (Gaelic: storyteller) Theatre Company’s latest work is the 1961 tragedy penned by Tom Murphy that was rejected by the Abby Theatre in Dublin in 1961 but produced in London where theatre critic Kenneth Tynan described it as “unarguably the most uninhibited display of violence that the London stage has ever witnessed.” Seanachai’s production sports rich, thick Irish brogues that are sometimes hard to understand. The ensemble acting carries this show and Jeff Christian’s direction builds the dramatic tension nicely.
This is powerful, disturbing theatre that displays our most basic instincts. It is a work that mirrors the pent-up anger and frustration felt by the Carney family that unfolds as a tribal ritual. Michael Carney (Coburn Goss) is the pacifist brother who moves to Covington, England to escape the brutality of the Carney clan in County Mayo, Ireland. He marries an English girl (Sarah Wellington) and settles for a simple life in 1960’s Britain.
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His brothers, Iggy (Mac Brandt), Harry (Dan Waller) and Hugo (Eamonn McDonagh) eventually move into his home seeking their fortune as low-level thugs praying on the working class town. The play opens with a loud drinking bout where we see the ignorance and brutish behavior of the violent brighter. They are wound too tight as they anticipate their Dada’s (John Kishline) visit from Ireland. Michael is nervous because it has been ten years since he escaped the overwhelming authority of his father. Dada is bring the youngest son, Des (Jack Briggs), a tall fifteen year old to allow him to “make is own way” like the other brothers.
Michael is the gentle brother who loathes violence, wants his three brothers to leave his household and, most of all, wants Des to return to Ireland and make something of himself. Michael knows that Dada will foster the tribal mentality that sees the brothers living life as combative, squabbling thugs eager to fight, intimidate anyone who confronts them.
Dada’s return is fueled by another boastful Irish clan, the Mulryans, who brag that they’ll keep the Carney clan in tow. Dada’s charismatic power of the boys is aptly shown with his dramatic visit to Michael’s home. John Kishline’s performance as the father contains a strong meanness with hints of melancholy beneath the wordy toasts, tributes and tall tales. This clan leader is a troubled soul living in past drowning himself in drink and enjoying the violent product has made with his three middle sons. He feasts on the admiration of the sons except Michael who he sees as a gentle timid maverick.
Michael wants to help Des, the impressionable teen brother escape the violent influence of the brothers. We see Iggy as the super-strong brute, Hugo as the stupid thug and Harry as the vicious, paranoid criminal seething to strike anyone who gets in his way. These scary types are all too common in today’s society so Murphy isn’t showing us anything unusual. The animal instincts of these blustering fellows will surly foster tragedy as Mush (Rob Kauzlaric); the brother’s best friend announces the battle with the Mulryans will be that night.
Dada leaves for an unknown rendezvous as the brother’s liquor-up before the rumble with the Mulryans. Michael tries in vain to get Des to not fight. After the brothers leave for battle, Betty hounds Michael to join his brothers to payback the brother’s loyalty for saving him a few months earlier when he was attacked in the street. Michael leaves the house.
Later, Dada returns to the house alone, sits drinking and singing an Irish lullaby and telling Betty not to worry. She asks why he isn’t with the boys? He ignores her. The boys return minis Michael and brag about their victory. Eventually, they turn their hostility on each other fomented Dada’s encouragement. Michael return drunk and Des start a fight with him as the drink consumes the boys and leads to the tragedy.
A Whistle in the Dark is a reminder that our animal instincts can lead to violence if provoked by ignorance, frustration and family bonds. Seanachai Theatre’s production is rich in power, wit and raw brutality.
Recommended
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date reviewed April 1, 2006
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