The Geffen Playhouse John Mahoney of
TV’s "Frasier" leads a talented ensemble in Conor McPherson’s
Oliver Award-winning play "The Weir."
By Terry Tang
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Much like the chilly, supernatural yarn each character in
“The Weir” spins, the play seems poised to simply jolt
the audience onto the edge of their seats.
After all, the story takes place on a dark and rainy Gaelic
night. The tavern where ghostly myths are exchanged is situated in
a rural area of Ireland. Furthermore, there is the entrance of an
alluring, but mysterious woman whose background is initially
unknown.
Luckily, Conor McPherson’s play runs deeper than a few
spooks and giggles. The latest production to occupy the Geffen
Playhouse, “The Weir,” centers on four jovial and
Guinness-guzzling barflies who are introduced to the new lady in
town, Valerie (Lindsay Crouse).
Valerie has just moved from Dublin in hopes of a peaceful,
country life. As the blokes at the bar fill her in about the town,
their conversation over the pints leads to a comparison of
spine-tingling legends about local myths and spirits.
Their tales, however, lead to arguments. The four men worry that
their storytelling will only frighten Valerie, but in the end, it
is the lass’s own troublesome narrative that creeps up on
them. Through the stories the men are forced to face some of their
own insecurities and regrets.
Although “The Weir” starts off a bit sluggish, with
chit-chat about the broken Guinness tap and other inane matters,
the plot picks up once Valerie arrives.
The men do their best to impress, welcoming her into their
circle of friends. But as time goes on and more glasses are filled,
each eerie account becomes more haunting and intense. But, what is
disturbing about these stories is how they subtly bring out
repressed feelings and emptiness in each person.
Led by John Mahoney, the talented ensemble is the heart of a
generally meaningful, yet demure play. It’s refreshing to
watch Mahoney, best known for his Emmy-deserving role as
Frasier’s crusty father Martin Crane, show a wider range of
emotions than a sitcom usually engenders.
As Jack, Mahoney demonstrates a warmth that goes beyond the TV
screen. He shows a fierceness that can shift to sudden rumination
in a hushed, soulful manner. Despite a slightly inconsistent Irish
brogue, Mahoney still evokes pathos. Watching him reminisce about a
lost love is like seeing someone’s grandfather cry.
Another worthy standout is Paul Vincent O’Connor, who
portrays Jim, adorably well-meaning, though at times clueless. A
middle-aged blue-collar man who still lives with his mother,
O’Connor’s towering frame exudes Jim’s gentle
giant persona. His clumsy attempts to comfort Valerie make him all
the more charming.
Crouse, who younger viewers may recognize as the villainous
Professor Maggie Walsh from TV’s “Buffy the Vampire
Slayer,” also gets her own heartbreaking scenes as the woman
who captivates the men.
At first, she seems like a rather static observer in the pub and
on stage, but once she gets a chance to tell her tale to the men,
Crouse becomes hypnotic. The effects of Valerie’s story on
the others are made more believable by her quiet and anguished
breakdown.
Most of the dramatic scenes in “The Weir” rely on
moments of silence as well as intense confrontations between the
characters. Much like a ghost story, the play strives to linger
with its audience as it sees how each man’s seemingly happy
demeanor begins to unravel.
Still, no prescribed solutions are given once the pub closes
shop for the night as the characters continue on in their usual
routines. However, McPherson tries to leave behind the sense that
they have grown. They are brought closer by the knowledge that they
all have voids that need filling.
But at the end of the day, it is the sharing of inner fears that
is a catharsis which makes that last call go down even
smoother.
THEATER: “The Weir” is now playing
at the Geffen Playhouse until March 11. Ticket prices range from
$21 to $43 and can be purchased at (310) 208-5454 or Ticketmaster
at (213) 365-3500. Student rush tickets for $10 are available.