Overview
- The National Theatre’s Lyttelton production, directed by Abbey Theatre artistic director Caitríona McLaughlin, is set to run until 28 February.
- Critics single out Nicola Coughlan’s naturalistic Pegeen as the standout, with notable support from Éanna Hardwicke and Siobhán McSweeney.
- Reviews describe a striking folkloric frame featuring straw-masked mummers, keening, a live fiddler and an ominous soundtrack.
- Several notices argue that stylisation and a reverential tone blunt the play’s darker humour and lead to an uneven overall effect.
- Synge’s dense, Irish-inflected dialogue challenges some audiences in the large space, though the play’s exploration of crowd fervour and desire resonates.