THE SEAFARER: Melbourne.Arts.Fashion – review
See review in its original context here by Lisa Romeo for Melbourne.Arts.Fashion.
5 stars
The Seafarer was written by Dublin born Conor McPherson in 2006. He has been described as ‘one of the finest playwrights of his generation’ with his plays having been performed internationally (notably in the West End and on Broadway). Director Wayne Pearn has worked as an actor, director and producer for thirty years and brings to perfect fruition McPherson’s award winning story.
The Seafarer is set in the disheveled home of hard drinking Irish man Richard, (played by Geoff Hickey), who presumably has lost his eyesight at work. His brother James ‘Sharky’ Harkin, (played by Barry Mitchell) having just given up the drink after battling alcoholism returns to live with his elderly, demanding brother.
It’s the morning of Christmas Eve and the lounge room is covered with empty beer cans, half eaten food and old newspapers. Richard is found asleep on the floor and Ivan (played by Adam Rafferty), a goofy looking mate of the brothers, staggers downstairs, too drunk to make it home last night.
There is obvious tension between the brothers, partly because Sharky is abstaining from alcohol, but you sense that there are deep set and dark past experiences that grate between them. Tempers are refrained due to good old Irish respect for brotherhood and family, however the bickering is constant.
The atmosphere on this stage is profound; the elder Richard has not washed for what seems like weeks, you can almost smell the stench of this man that seems to care only for his next drop of whisky. The men appear to be permanently in a state of drunkenness, it seems a typical setting of hard core, working class Dublin; men that prefer nothing more than their mates coming together accompanied by the drink.
As the night rolls on in this cold coastal suburb the household is joined by friends, one of whom brings an unfamiliar guest and the evening turns into a long night of poker playing. There are two demons at play this night, one of which is ‘the drink’ and the stakes in this card game are very high. The mood throughout the play is thick with suspense. Tensions mount between various players, not only because of the poker game, but there are many underlying issues between the characters. One is that Nicky (played by David Passmore), is now living with Sharkys’ ex girlfriend, there is definite contention between the two and it flares up in spurts.
The visiting stranger, Mr Lockhart, (played by Michael Cahill), brings with him great mystique and danger to the room. His character is both a realist but his monologues on the afterlife and the insight into Sharkys’ past gives him magical, devilish qualities.
The whole time the audience is kept on the edge of their seats; there are great twists and turns in this story and the characters are so wonderfully portrayed, with each of the five actors bringing a full rounded personality to the mix – with the standout being Mr Lockhart – the demon eyes and smooth, slick moves of this shady character are intense. The mood also stretches outside of the lounge room; drunken, rowdy passersby outside of the home are brought to life without needing to be seen.
There are some subtle poignant moments of humour, kindness, kinship and the message that we are all human and prone to making mistakes. There are also feelings of regret, loss, loneliness and despair.
Together with the expertise and experience of writer and director and a great cast and crew, a beautifully constructed, atmospheric piece of theatre is delivered. I highly recommend it.
The Seafarers was nominated for multiple Tony Awards as well as the Laurence Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Play.