Review: The Weir, Lyceum Theatre

(l-r) Lucianne McEvoy as Valerie, , Darragh Kelly as Jim, Frank McCusker as Finbar, Brian Gleeson as Brendan (behind bar) and Gary Lydon as Jack, ( far right ).

Set in Brendan’s Bar, a cosy hostelry in rural Ireland, one dark night, it’s all just good craic as the lads try to outdo each other with ghost stories, but then a newcomer, all the way from Dublin, shares a haunting tale of her own...

“It’s just people talking, said Conor McPherson of The Weir and I am delighted to be directing this for our 50th anniversary year,” says Amanda Gaughan.

“Set in a rural Irish pub, the men meet for their usual pint together but this night is different when a stranger, Valerie, comes amongst them and then, the real stories begin... Storytelling is at the core of this funny yet emotionally visceral and haunting play.

Through Irish myths and ghost stories, The Weir examines how the ghosts of our past – both personal and universal – can affect the fragility of our own present.

It asks if, or how, we can move forward from personal tragedy.“

Chosen as one of the Hundred Plays of the Century in a National Theatre poll, The Weir has won a host of playwriting awards including the Evening Standard Award, George Devine Award, Critics Circle Award and Laurence Olivier Award.

The Lyceum production, which runs at one hour 40 minutes without an interval, features a stellar cast of Irish actors from stage and screen including Brian Gleeson as Brendan, Frank McKusker as Finbar, Gary Lydon as Jack, Darragh Kelly as Jim and Lucianne McEvoy as Valerie.

The Weir, Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street, until 6 February, 7.30pm (matinees 2pm), £13-£29.50, 0131-248 4848