O'Punksky's The Seafarer at the Darlo in 2012
Maeliosa Stafford directs one of the most outstanding and outstandingly well-matched casts you’ll see this year.
Or this decade. Even this lifetime. Crikey
It’s Christmas Eve. Sharky Harkin is on the wagon and returns to the family home to care for his blind brother. Old friends are there for the ritual game of cards and more than a few drinks. The temptation to fall back into old habits is intense during the ‘season of good cheer’.
And this year they are joined by a stranger who brings with him a bottle of the finest whiskey and a wallet full of cash. He’s made as welcome as any stranger might hope for on a cold winter’s night…… but this particular stranger is the Prince of Darkness himself and he intends to win something more than a few quid.
The Seafarer is the story of a man whose determination to change his life brings him face to face with the devil. He must play for his very soul. The stakes couldn’t be higher…. the slide back into alcoholism, violence and isolation, or a future of self-determination and the fulfilment of a new found love.
The Seafarer is lively, funny, entertaining and thoroughly accessible…….. What is clever is that McPherson has taken a Christian idea of the Devil and the notion of Hell to make an existential point about how to live. And then Maeliosa Stafford sprinkled it with fairy dust so we would all love it. Aus Stage Review
… it is the arrival of the mysterious Mr Lockhart that pushes this story in another direction and saves it from being a rather clichéd piece about the Irish, their self loathing and alcohol. Patrick Dickson as the haunted Sharky is mesmerising and William Zappa as Mr Lockhart (the devil) delivers a once in a career performance. Crikey
And this year they are joined by a stranger who brings with him a bottle of the finest whiskey and a wallet full of cash. He’s made as welcome as any stranger might hope for on a cold winter’s night…… but this particular stranger is the Prince of Darkness himself and he intends to win something more than a few quid.
The Seafarer is the story of a man whose determination to change his life brings him face to face with the devil. He must play for his very soul. The stakes couldn’t be higher…. the slide back into alcoholism, violence and isolation, or a future of self-determination and the fulfilment of a new found love.
The Seafarer is lively, funny, entertaining and thoroughly accessible…….. What is clever is that McPherson has taken a Christian idea of the Devil and the notion of Hell to make an existential point about how to live. And then Maeliosa Stafford sprinkled it with fairy dust so we would all love it. Aus Stage Review
… it is the arrival of the mysterious Mr Lockhart that pushes this story in another direction and saves it from being a rather clichéd piece about the Irish, their self loathing and alcohol. Patrick Dickson as the haunted Sharky is mesmerising and William Zappa as Mr Lockhart (the devil) delivers a once in a career performance. Crikey
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In the tradition of Irish play writing, the play crackles with rich, eloquent and comic dialogue and casts its dark, existentialist humour over the mundane, the supernatural and the tragic. Australian Stage Review
Patrick Connolly, was such a treat in this show... The rest of the cast could have been dancing naked around that stage when Connolly’s Ivan was buttering that toast with such intensity … Gorgeous work and perfectly cast. John O’Hare bounced on stage as Nicky … O’Hare finds the dimensions of naivety and ambition of Nicky… infinitely watchable and the energy he brings to Nicky changes the whole feel of the stage…. a generous performer. Shitonyourplay blogspot. A profound play that asks a lot of questions about life, death and morals. You will be tensely on the edge of your seat. Sydney Arts Guide. Performed and staged beautifully. Daily Telegraph. Production Photography by Wendy MacDougal |
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O’Punksky’s award winning production of The Seafarer is brilliantly directed by Maeliosa Stafford, who also recreates the role of Richard, the part he played in Ireland’s prestigious Abbey Theatre.
The performances are expertly crafted and unflinchingly sharp. SMH. Seafarer fits this talented ensemble like a glove. Irish Echo. The Seafarer has a cast of international standard actors including William Zappa, Patrick Dickson, John O’Hare and Patrick Connolly . This is great theatre in the best tradition of Irish writing; riotously funny and irreverent with flawless performances and an end that has you on the edge of your seat. |
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McPherson comes highly recommended and esteemed: The New York Times alone has mooted him as very possibly the finest playwright of his generation, bar none. Crikey
Conor McPherson, one of Ireland’s most celebrated playwrights, explores the lives of ordinary people, the passion of their hearts and the fears and superstitions that haunt their souls. Winner of London’s Olivier Award for best new play, The Seafarer also won a Toni Award for the Broadway season. McPherson, internationally known for The Weir, cleverly weaves a blend of myth, poetic narrative and hilariously dark humour to re-fashion an old tale with an ace or two up his sleeve. Videography by Gabe McCarthy |
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