Tag Archives: Aisling Kearns

“Juno and the Paycock” at the Gielgud Theatre

Seán O’Casey’s 1924 tragicomedy is a tricky masterpiece to make work. The setting is Dublin during the Irish Civil War and the Boyle family, whose lives we follow, are all struggling. Yet the father, Jack, is a grand comic creation, a drunken shirker who comes into money with predictable results. The crazed fun behind the character is exaggerated in Matthew Warchus’ revival, making the production memorable but unbalanced.

Since the lead role is taken by Mark Rylance I’d be surprised if there are any complaints. The performance is commanding and distinctive, led by clear Chaplinesque touches (even the production photos are black and white). Rylance is hugely entertaining. There’s back-up from his chum Joxer, gloriously played by Paul Hilton, including a fantastic moment of slapstick. And it isn’t just a matter of going for laughs – there’s a mix of melancholic vulnerability and manic energy that verges on being uncomfortable. 

Rylance has terrific chemistry with the family members. His long-suffering wife Juno fights to hold her own, while his children seek to escape through romance or politics. All three performances – from J Smith-Cameron, Aisling Kearns and Eimhin Fitzgerald Doherty – are accomplished. Each is intense, brimming with nervous angst. And each is a stark contrast to Jack. 

You can guess the problem – other roles become simply foils. Warchus and Rylance allow the peacock to take over the play. As the action gets darker – with a fortune and a fiancé lost and the danger of sectarian violence – it becomes a big issue. Any connection with the family fun we’ve seen is unclear to the point of being confusing. Few of the play’s issues are successfully addressed and the ending becomes just a baffling shock. Even if Rylance makes sure we get our money’s worth, the play, and most of the performers, are shortchanged.

Until 23 November 2024

www.junoandthepaycock.com

Photograph by Manuel Harlan