Conor McPherson's play set in a rural pub sees four local men tell tales to a woman before hearing her story.
The Royal Court Theatre commissioned 'The Weir' by Conor McPherson. The play opened at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in July 1997. In 1999, it won the Olivier Award for Best New Play. Former artistic director of the Royal Court, Ian Rickson, recalls commissioning The Weir following a short conversation with Conor McPherson.
Ian Rickson, who directed the first production of 'The Weir', praises the incredible theatrical stagecraft of the play and how it builds as character after character is introduced. Like all great drama, 'The Weir' has mystery, contemplation of life and loss. Animating the monologues within the play for all involved with the production was as much about the listener as the storyteller.
It's incredibly deft and efficient as a machine.
Ian Rickson believes the play allows the audience to go through the ritual of contemplation of death and the afterlife. It demonstrates both the consolation of community and the loneliness of grief.
Jim Norton, who played Jack in the first production of 'The Weir', describes his character as the owner of a garage in a small community in Leitrim. Jack enters the local bar, and the story unravels from there. Each character tells a ghost story. Jim Norton says this required tremendous discipline from the actors to listen and concentrate on the person telling their story. Valerie, a young woman from Dublin who has recently arrived in the area, also tells a story about the death of her child. The difference is that her story is true. The men in the pub do not know how to react.
It's so moving as each of them in turn tries to show respect and tries to show affection for this young woman.
By the end of the play, Jack and Valerie are left alone on stage and Jack tells a story of personal loss.
One critic wrote of the play,
McPherson is like an Irish recording angel.
'Playwrights in Profile: Conor McPherson' broadcast on 2 September 2007. The presenter is Seán Rocks.
