Well folks, I recently had the opportunity to view the Martin McDonagh play, "The Cripple of Inishmaan." It was put on right here at good ol' UW-Oshkosh. The cast was well chosen I must say. Merlaine Angwall, who directed the piece for UWO, did a fantastic job.

The play takes place in Ireland, on the Isle of Inishmaan, in 1934. The people who live in Inishmaan are very few, and they all know each other. Kate and Eileen run a small store out of their home. Johnnypateenmike, who's name is just as funny as the character, is the local gossip. He brings news to everyone, and mooches items from people, especially Kate Eileen for his news. The story, however, revolves around Billy, a physically challenged young man who is not given the time of day by anyone, including Helen, who Billy loves. Kate and Eileen are Billy's foster aunts, and because he is crippled, they treat him like a child. Billy learns from Johnnypateenmike about a film being filmed in Inishmore and Billy quickly begins to dream about life in America, living in Hollywood. Billy begins his journey and soon ends up right back in Inishmaan.

The journey that Billy takes is because he wants to make something better for himself. However, he does this for the wrong reasons. He feels his life at home is horrible, because he doesn't seem to get any respect from anyone. What he does not realize is that after he leaves, everyone feels lost without Billy. No one really makes a huge deal, except of course, Kate and Eileen. They even try and pass it off at first, but they cannot. Billy had so much at home for him, and learns while in America, that life without his family is not worth it, so he travels back to Inishmaan.



I loved this play, hands down, loved it. First and foremost, I love all Irish culture. I am Irish and very proud of it. To sit in the audience and watch this gripping tale, I was just in amazement. To see all the performers on stage, bringing 1934 Ireland to life was very moving. I have always wanted to go to Ireland, be around many Irish people, and to sit and watch a play, which was actually written by a true Irishman, was a dream come true for yours truly. The language was all correct, the accents the performers used were incredible. I have never heard so many Americans, from Wisconsin of all places, bring out a true Irish accent. They all did a very good job of bringing McDonagh's play to life on the stage of UWO's Fredric March Theatre.

The music that was chosen for in between scenes and for the intermission was well picked. There was the traditional Irish music. The fiddles, the flutes, everything. I am very keen on this kind of music, and for me, it helped set the feeling even more for the play. I personally got really involved. They also used some music that was made in America at the time. A lot of what they played was Bing Crosby. I think this was done to bring out the American culture, the culture Billy originally yearns for in the play.

As a critic of the films and plays that I view, I would have to say I do not have any criticism for this play. I mean, there is always the normal lines that get messed up from time to time, but in live production, that can be expected. I went on the second night of the show and it was stellar. I am sure it was even better on the weekend showings. I am giving this play 4 stars on a 4 star scale. It was just very impressive. I would recommend seeing this play if it ever available. I am also very curious about McDonagh's other works. Having the Irish pride that I do, I will probably love all of his plays. But for "The Cripple of Inishmaan," I loved it, no doubt about it, a spectacular play.

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