jasfuller's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kennedyfio_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I've been wanting to read this play for a very long time, and I was not disappointed.
Very rooted in the politics of location in Belfast, and if you are not familiar with the physical place and its idiosyncrasies it may not have the same impact on you as it would for others.
I really enjoyed this and would love to see it onstage. Thanks Trinity Library for having a copy :)
Very rooted in the politics of location in Belfast, and if you are not familiar with the physical place and its idiosyncrasies it may not have the same impact on you as it would for others.
I really enjoyed this and would love to see it onstage. Thanks Trinity Library for having a copy :)
lanternheart's review against another edition
I've read few plays that have disturbed me as much as this. More reflection later.
__serafina__'s review against another edition
5.0
One of my favourite plays of all time, a pleasure to watch, a pleasure to re-read despite the unpleasantness involved.
nwhyte's review against another edition
4.0
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2667920.html
script of a play currently on in the Royal Court Theatre in London, a co-production with the Abbey Theatre, starring Stephen Rea as Eric, a Loyalist whose obsession with the idea that his daughter's baby is actually Gerry Adams drives the story through the blackest of black humour to a horrific conclusion. There are has some gloriously funny moments of banter as well as agonising interrogation of identity.
I never find it easy to judge how a script would come across on stage, and I was a bit concerned that the play might veer towards point-and-laugh-at-the-Prods. But from reviews, it sounds like the production has avoided that trap, and successfully made the wider point that sectarian hatred is something that we destructively do to ourselves. All identities are to an extent socially constructed, and we might as well accept that and move on. It's difficult to do that reflexively to both sides in Northern Ireland, but perhaps in a London show it's better to look at the Loyalists if you can only look at one. Anyway, I hope I'll have the chance to see this some day.
script of a play currently on in the Royal Court Theatre in London, a co-production with the Abbey Theatre, starring Stephen Rea as Eric, a Loyalist whose obsession with the idea that his daughter's baby is actually Gerry Adams drives the story through the blackest of black humour to a horrific conclusion. There are has some gloriously funny moments of banter as well as agonising interrogation of identity.
I never find it easy to judge how a script would come across on stage, and I was a bit concerned that the play might veer towards point-and-laugh-at-the-Prods. But from reviews, it sounds like the production has avoided that trap, and successfully made the wider point that sectarian hatred is something that we destructively do to ourselves. All identities are to an extent socially constructed, and we might as well accept that and move on. It's difficult to do that reflexively to both sides in Northern Ireland, but perhaps in a London show it's better to look at the Loyalists if you can only look at one. Anyway, I hope I'll have the chance to see this some day.
elizabeth_liana's review against another edition
4.0
If dark humor is up your alley, this politically-inspired text is worth the read.
bexsur's review against another edition
dark
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Murder, Child death, and Child abuse