| THEATRE REVIEWS Still
controversial after all these years
 By
Grainne McLoughlin
A Whistle In The Dark
After a hugely-acclaimed run in Manchester’s Royal Exchange theatre
Tom Murphy’s A Whistle In The Dark is set to transfer to London’s
Tricycle Theatre.
Written when Murphy was 25 A Whistle In The Dark has been described as
“one of the most electrifying first plays written in the history
of 20th century drama, launching Murphy onto the stage in London and Dublin
to a storm of shock, controversy and applause”.
Set somewhere in Coventry in England in the early 1960s audiences to the
Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn are assured a drama unlike any other. Into
the house of Michael Carney and his English wife come his brawling family
of brothers and their father — the fire-breathing Dada.
Michael came to England for a better life but as the Carney brothers gear
up to confront a rival gang for control of the area, he is forced to take
a stand as age-old resentments and tensions begin to explode.
A hotbed of tribalism, violence, family feuds and loyalty A Whistle In
The Dark was initially rejected by Dublin’s Abbey Theatre for portraying
the Irish in such a negative light. But it went on to premiere in Stratford
45 years ago before going on to be a West End hit.
Directing the play will be the Royal Exchange’s Associate Director
Jacob Murray, who describes it as “a primal play which has all the
power and energy of a thriller and the soul of a Greek tragedy”.
And the cast includes Patrick O’Kane, Gary Whelan, Esther Hall and
Damien O’Hare.
And if you fancy an extra special night on May 5 there will be a theatre
package with drinks, curry buffet and a chance to meet the cast after
the show — all for £30.
A Whistle In The Dark will continue to run at the Royal Exchange Theatre
until March 25.
A Whistle In The Dark will play from March 29 until May 6 at London’s
Tricycle Theatre. For further information contact 020 7328 1000.
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