| Theatre and Gig Reviews THEATRE
REVIEW
The Exonerated
By Richard Purden
The Exonerated is an ensemble piece with Aidan Quinn at the helm but
in fairness this powerful production was a word-of-mouth hit before the
Hollywood Irishman stepped up for the role.
The play is a selection of true statements made by wrongly-convicted
death row inmates.
While overwhelming evidence suggested they were not guilty of the crimes,
the criminal justice system appears devastatingly reluctant to overturn
verdicts especially where the victim in the miscarriage of justice is black.
Be warned there are moments where the dialogue is disturbing. There were
obviously a wide number of the audience who turned up to catch a glimpse
of Quinn that were left shocked by his disturbing description of repeated
male prison rapes and abuse.
Not only is the life of the man destroyed but also his entire family
for a crime he didn’t commit. He frighteningly points out it could have
happened to anyone.
There are moments of tangible shock when people in the wrong place at
the wrong time end up with a life sentence or the death penalty. Some only
get out after large chunks of their life has disappeared.
There is also a story of what happens when the electric chair fails to
work.
Perhaps the most shocking thing about The Exonerated is how it manages
to reveal how those in positions of authority and power in the American
justice system are able to pin crimes on people they find undesirable or
dislike.
While many of the victims here are black there are significant echoes
of police brutality in 1970s Britain where crimes were pinned on innocents
whose only offence was to be Irish or Catholic.
Starring Aidan Quinn.
THEATRE PREVIEW
The Lonesome West
By Grainne McLoughlin
Martin McDonagh’s highly acclaimed play The Lonesome West which is set
to embark on a national tour of Ireland, is also set to make its way across
the Irish sea.
In what’s been described as The Simpsons meet The Playboy Of The Western
World, The Lonesome West has all the ingredients of a great play, from sinister
sibling rivalry, alcoholic priests and murder to unrequited love.
The last of McDonagh’s famous Leenane trilogy, which took both London
and Broadway by storm, it is currently being shown in Belfast’s Lyric Theatre.
Produced in association with the Letterkenny’s An Grianan Theatre, this
gripping production will tour nine venues across Ireland. The four-strong
cast is headed up by Lalor Roddy who was nominated for Best Actor for his
portrayal of Jack in The Weir in 2004 by the Theatre Management Association.
In the exciting play we see Valene and Coleman, two brothers living alone
after their father’s recent death, or quite possibly murder. Finding it
impossible to co-exist, in steps Father Welsh — who has the rather unsatisfactory
record of three murders and one suicide during his tenure — in a bid to
reconcile the two siblings before their petty disputes end in more bloodshed.
But will any such harmony ensue? It’s a must to get along and find out.
The Lyric’s Artistic Director said: “Our audiences are going to love
The Lonesome West, it really is as good as it gets.”
Starring Frank McCusker, Lalor Roddy, Enda Kilroy and Charlene McKenna.
Following its run at the Lyric, The Lonesome West will tour Tallaght
from October 17-22, Galway, October 24-25 right through to An Grianan Theatre
in Letterkenny from November 21- 26. Box office: 0289038 5685.
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