The Home Place
Directed by Adrian Noble. With Derbhle Crotty, Laura Jane Laughlin, Adam Fergus, Michael Judd, Tom Courtenay, Hugh O'Conor, Nick Dunning, Pat Kinevane, Barry McGovern, Brenda Larby, Bill O' Cleirigh & Leanna Duke. Gate Theatre until 26 March.
Brian Friel returns to the subject of the 'Big House' in his new play 'The Home Place'. The Lodge in Ballybeg is the aristocratic haven that eventually will crumble under the weight of outside influence and the idea that a better life is to be found beyond one's current existence. Friel's text also gives us a snapshot of Anglo Irish relations at the outset of the Land War, while most pointedly offering a view of human genetics that is ultimately exploitative and degrading.
As a metaphor for decline, 'The Home Place', while not as subtle in its execution as Friel's earlier Aristocrats (1979) the consequences of the choices made make for a heart rending denouement that underlines the changing of the guard and the ultimate passing of time.
The local landlord Christopher Gore (Tom Courtenay), a widower is well regarded by his tenants and is keen to maintain cordial relationships. He lives in the Lodge with his son David (Hugh O'Conor). Both men are not steadfastly tied to their lineage and, in particular, the 'home place' in Kent.
They seek the affection of the housekeeper Margaret O'Donnell (Derbhla Crotty) a native of Ballybeg, whose father Clement (Barry McGovern), is the local schoolmaster. Of rather uncouth disposition, Clement's choir sing soft Republican songs and can be viewed as less trenchant those who battered to death Lord Lifford - an autocratic tyrannical Landlord.
Even amongst the downtrodden, different attitudes are in evidence - all of which is of great interest to the anthropologist Dr Richard Gore (Nick Dunning), a cousin of Christopher's. He has arrived in Ballybeg to do a study of the natives. He believed that by measuring heads and bodies and by noting eye and hair colour, an ethnic code would be cracked resulting in much power and information. In the words of the learned doctor one would therefore be able to control an entire universe.
Along with his assistant Perkins (Pat Kinevane) Richard starts to take the measurements from his sample using an array of instruments. However, he is stopped in his tracks by Con Doherty (Adam Fergus), a spokesperson for those in Ballybeg who disapprove of his fieldwork and his mocking of the Irish way of life. The threat of violence ensues, and Christopher's control of all he surveys is now seriously under threat.
Tom Courtenay is an actor of high standing on both stage and screen. It is pleasure to see him on the Dublin stage. He elicits a powerful presence, and the emotional depth he brings to Christopher's ultimate predicament is carefully nuanced and most poignant in its delivery. Derbhle Crotty, is fast emerging as one of our foremost actors and is as near to perfect here as the woman ultimately caught in the middle.
Less effective, but still notable is Hugh O'Conor. While his character was meant to be insecure, his tendency to shuffle too much was somewhat disconcerting. Nick Dunning was suitably commanding as the feared impostor, while Pat Kinevane seriousness as the intrepid assistant provided a few laughs. Also worth mentioning is Laura Jane McLaughlin as the housemaid and thirteen-year-old Bill O'Cleirigh's cheeky interpretation of Tommy Boyle - one of the natives studied by Dr Richard.
Adrian Noble's direction is assured, with Peter McKintosh's set an impressive backdrop to the action.
James McMahon
