By William Wolf

THE WEIR  Send This Review to a Friend

The pub that Charlie Corcoran designed for Conor McPherson’s play “The Weir” in this Irish Repertory Theatre revival during its 25th anniversary season looks so realistic that one might feel like going up on stage an ordering a pint. It is meant to be located in a remote country part of Ireland, and as a place where the locals gather to chat about their lives and sometimes spin stories with a hint of the supernatural.

The first to arrive at the pub is Dan Butler as Jack, a habitué, who tries to help himself to a beer. Soon Billy Carter as Brenden, the barman, arrives to get matters in order. John Keating as Jim is next on the scene. Talk among the bachelors includes gossip about Finbar (Sean Gormley), who is married and due to bring a young women around. She has recently moved into the area and he is merely helping her, but gossip is gossip.

When Tessa Klein as Valerie, the lady in question, arrives with Finbar, she is a welcome addition, bringing a fresh glow to the room. The men become occupied telling stories that reflect local lore, but Valerie soon settles into telling of her own horrific experience, and that makes everything else pale by comparison. She holds the men—and the audience—spellbound and evokes tremendous sympathy for what occurred and her gallant effort to bear up under the tragedy.

This air of truthfulness leads to Jack confiding about the terrible disappointment in his life, how he let slip his one opportunity for life with a woman he adored, and whom he still thinks about every day. Butler is so poignant in Jack’s revelation that one hurts deeply for him.Through his story the author shows us the sadness and loneliness that can exist in the environment depicted. It is very observant writing, and the fine cast, as astutely directed by Ciarán O’Reilly, provides us with compelling portraits of characters who come to life before our eyes. At the Irish Repertory Theatre, 131 West 22nd Street, $55-$65. Phone: 212-727-2737. Reviewed May 24, 2013.

  

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