On April 19, 2009, Conor McPherson’s play, The Seafarer, performed at the Geffen Playhouse. McPherson, an Irish playwright, won critical acclaim for The Weir in the late 1990s and will likely receive recognition for The Seafarer.
The entire play takes place on Christmas Eve. Although the day of this particular performance it was 96 degrees Fahrenheit in Los Angeles.
Act I of the play held the audience’s attention mainly due to the stellar actors: Andrew Connolly, Tom Irwin, John Mahoney, Paul V. O’Connor, and Matt Roth.
The caustic remarks of Richard (Paul Mahoney), a blind drunk, met with the sulky demeanor of his younger brother, Sharky (Andrew Connolly), seemed displaced.
Ivan (Paul V. O’Connor), a fellow drunk and a friend of Richard’s, add further confusion to the scene with his recurring complaint that he can’t find his glasses.
At the end of Act I, Mr. Lockhart (Tom Irwin) and Nicky (Matt Roth) arrive just in time to change the dynamics of the play and leave a cliffhanger before intermission.
During intermission many audience members rushed to the bar. This may have been a psychological response, like Pavlov’s dogs, to the constant drinking on the stage. It may also have been the easiest way to reduce the stress-induced tension of the indecipherable first Act.
All bets are off in Act II. The main thrust of the play is revealed during a poker game. The message here may have been that there are always losers and winners in poker as in life. For the characters in The Seafarer, an alcoholic life is better than no life.
The Seafarer anchors itself on Act II and an outstanding cast of actors. If your curiosity is peaked, skip Act I, arrive at the bar during intermission, and then enjoy Act II.
The Seafarer runs at the Geffen through May, 24, 2009.
dramasense 