Irish Tragicomedy ‘The Playboy Of The Western World’ Screens From London

National Live Theatre (NT Live) is a program presented by London’s National Theatre where high-quality stage productions are filmed and screened worldwide.

Discerning theatregoers who adore live theatre but are monitoring their finances closely, can watch these productions on the big screen at vastly reduced admission prices.

Also, many of these fine productions may possibly never be staged in Sydney owing to exorbitant touring costs, actors fees and on account these productions are for niche audiences only, leading to the promoters possibly not recouping their costs.

Some of the NT Live productions that have screened in Sydney cinemas recently include Prima Facie, Vanya, the Shakespeare classic All’s Well That Ends Well and All My Sons.

The latest recorded production to screen in cinemas is the Irish dramedy, or more aptly tragicomedy, entitled The Playboy Of The Western World.

Written in 1907 by J.M. Synge the story takes place in a Mayo village. A strange man named Christy Mahon arrives in town – who is this man? When he declares to have murdered his father the locals are thrilled by his crime and glorify him. The women consider him a celebrity – the playboy from the western world. But his newfound celebrity status is threatened when his father arrives. The township turns hostile and disillusioned.

The negative reaction is spawned by Christy’s exaggerated stories which initially mesmerise the crowds. Playwright Synge mocks how common people worship false heroes. Are thrilling and incredulous lies favourable over the boring truth?

Violence becomes unjustifiably glamorised and entertaining – is this a relatable theme where art imitates life in all communities worldwide? Can illusion be more welcoming than reality?

Actress Nicola Coughlan plays the role of Peegan Mike, the young woman who works in her father’s pub. She quickly falls in love with Christy – will her perception of him change once the truth is revealed? Will she fall out of love?

Christy Mahon is astutely portrayed by Eanna Hardwicke. This character is basically the whole play, as Christy is the catalyst to the drama and drives all the plot turns.

The supporting cast who are all well known to English theatregoers embellish the quality of the production, their performances heighten the humour and later amplify the hostility toward Christy once the truth is revealed.

The staging presents a Mayo pub interior, a single room with a fireplace and seating. This setting arouses a dark and rustic atmosphere which suggests the isolation of village life cut off from the western world.

Musical interludes which compound to the atmosphere of the narrative are created by violinists and the soft strumming of guitars.

This satirical story of self-discovery should delight niche audiences who prefer smaller and more meaningful cinematic experiences over shallow blockbusters. There are plenty of laughs and poignant moments, but ultimately there’s an explosion of emotions in the finale which reveals the primary and universally resonant themes.

Adversely, the strong Irish rural dialect which at times is incomprehensible may be distracting for some audiences, possibly preventing the understanding of certain scenes.

This play which was incorporated in the Australian high school English curriculum for many years, is powerful and ultimately concerns the fickleness of human nature which is driven by illusion and the brutal consequences of storytelling.

Moviegoers who would like to attend a screening of Playboy Of The Western World are reminded that this only has a cinematic season for 2 weeks. 

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In Cinemas June 25