Martin McDonagh's play appears like a miserable slice of Irish turf, sodden with gloom, lost possibilities and festering resentments - those between Maureen (Rachel O'Neill), too long a spinster, and her housebound, demanding mother Mags (Karen Fitzsimmons) in particular. Even the breezy Ray Dooley (Andrew Leckie) is resentful, remembering the way the women of the cottage "confiscated his swingball" years ago.
ONeill's Maureen becomes radiant as the attentive Pato (Steve Clarke) offers her a taste of love and freedom. But, with shocking malice, Mags destroys Maureen's chances in one wicked deed, bringing out the worst of her abusive tendancies.
The rainy environment is evoked subtly but effectively by David Woodward's set and Tony Rogers' sound design, and Fitzsimmons is mesmerising throughout, amusing even at her worst, always engaging, tough yet vulnerable.
Perhaps one might want the relief of coarser humour at times, but the tone is mostly convincing, absorbing and, finally, heart stirring.
Ham Quentin
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