[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of The 6th Act’s OUTSIDE MULLINGAR, written by John Patrick Shanley and directed by co-artistic director Matthew Leavitt.
The 6th Act holds a special place in my heart. Their extraordinary productions are always so beautifully balanced and carefully chosen, whether written by their co-artistic director Matthew Leavitt or selected from some of the finest contemporary or classic playwrights. You can rely on them to innovate, charm and always fully realize whatever play they perform to the ultimate creative vision the writer could ever aspire it to be.
Outside Mullingar, written by the sublime John Patrick Shanley, is a love story set in the soggiest of climates, Western Ireland. The two lovers take an age to find their way to each other, and that age is set on stage for us to witness with the help of a parent for each of them and the classic Irish habit of eternally beating about the bush, no matter how important or potentially life changing the subject might be.
But the beautiful words and the gorgeous characters created by John Patrick Shanley would mean nothing if not evoked by actors capable of conjuring souls from words on a page. As well as a director gifted enough to give his actors space and to partner with them in their journey to truth.
Matthew Leavitt’s direction is subtle and poignant. His actors inhabit their characters seemingly effortlessly, becoming rather than performing, such are their rare talents.
I suppose you either love damp tales of the Irish farm and their inhabitants or you don’t. Although I would warn you not to dismiss a play on the basis of its ‘simple’ story. Good theatre is about absolutely everything you have ever known spoken in a few lines and mirrored with a few gentle glances. And the 6th Act’s Outside Mullinger is the absolute best theatre can gift to you.
Of course, every actor is brilliant, I would expect nothing less of this wonderful ensemble. But this particular cast does really go above and beyond. Michael Kirby as our soft hero, Anthony, is a dream. With a delightfully permanent furrowed brow. His father, Tony, is played by the effervescent Armin Shimerman, who captures the glumness and the sadness of this bereaved and wounded farmer with a gentle yet persistent narcissism that is utterly adorable. Then there is the lonely, smoky Rosemary, played so beautifully by the always wonderful Liza Seneca. She is the heart of this story and the holder of all the secrets and Liza could not have been more perfect for this role. Her mother Aoife, is played with wit and wisdom by Kitty Swink and I could not have loved her more. A goddess!
So, a hilarious and heartrending play performed by four fantastic actors in total harmony, with the help of a gifted director and a set that had the audience, including myself, at times gasping….honestly, how on earth could you miss this? Well, you would be a daft bugger to, as they say in Ireland…and often in my living room.
OUTSIDE MULLINGAR is only playing for three short weeks!!! Do not dawdle. Please, please please see this play!!!
Tickets:
https://the6thact.ludus.com/index.php
OUTSIDE MULLINGAR Cast:
Michael Kirby, Liza Seneca, Armin Shimerman and Kitty Swink
The Team:
The design team for OUTSIDE MULLINGAR features Set Design by Mark Mendelson; Sound Design by Chris Moscatiello; Lighting Design by W. Alejandro Melendez; Costume Design by Caitlin Cisek; Prop Master/Set Dressing by Megan Trapani. The Production Stage Manager is Rich Andrew.
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