First performed in Dublin in 1907, The Playboy of the Western World was written by Irish playwright John Millington Synge, and so scandalous for its time, it was met with protests. Deemed a traditional Irish comedy, the three-act play translates well to modern society as a timeless masterpiece.
In a nutshell, the playboy, Christopher Mahon (Garrison Cox), shows up one night at Pegeen’s (Rebekah Hannah) tavern with a questionable past. He boasts about a grandiose story involving his father, Old Mahon (Ron Arthurs), which elevates him to hero status and gets all the ladies of the village in a flutter, including Widow Quin (Siobhan Vincent), Susan Brady (Kirsty Plews), Honor Blake (Piper Gibson), Nelly (Olivia Keary) and Sara Tansey (Isabella Di Giovanni). In fact, Christopher is such a hit with the ladies that it causes much angst among the men, especially Shawn Keogh (Ian Staunton), who has been promised to Pegeen.
Michael James Flaherty (Gavin Crane), Jimmy Farrell (Stuart Ridgway), Philomena Cullen (Dame Kerry Goode OAM) and Philly Cullen (Ben Vaughan-Sanders) are innocent by-standers, for the most part, who bemusedly watch it all play out from the sidelines.
Reigning from around the globe, mastering the Irish accent is a testament to the talented cast that I really enjoyed once I relaxed into its musicality and lyrical rhythm.
With all three acts performed in the tavern, with walls crafted from papier-mache, it’s a cosy setting, made all the more atmospheric by Perth’s chilly nights as the train rattles past and planes thunder above. A big thanks to the set design crew, including Jake Newby (also lighting design), Graeme Dick (also stage manager), Nera Camponovo and Paris Jenner.
Directed and performed by Siobhan Vincent, who did a brilliant job of bringing the story to life at the historic Garrick Theatre. Acknowledgement must go to her assistant, Marion West, who also handled props and set dressing, and to Sarah House for stepping in for Siobhan during rehearsals.
Isabella Melbin (assistant stage manager), Conor Barclay (lighting operator), Ricky Penrose (sound operator) all deserve a round of applause. Tamar Basini’s talent and attention to detail for the costumes took me on a journey to the early 1900s.
The Playboy of the Western World is a scintillating tale of seduction, betrayal and violence and as relevant now as it was in 1907.
Performed at the Garrick Theatre in Guildford, get your tickets here. Shows start at 7.30pm from 4th to 20th June, with matinee sessions at 2pm on Sunday 7th, 13 & 14th June.
To book tickets to The Playboy of the Western World, please visit https://www.TAZtix.com.au/garricktheatre/.
