First off I have to say that I have seen this play before in a superb Sydney Theatre Company( STC) production directed by Christabel Sved in February 2010 at the STC’s Wharf 2 Theatre. It’s easy to work out why the STC has chosen to put this play on again. It is a terrific play by Martin McDonagh, written in 1996, and once again the Sydney Theatre Company have come up with a superb production, this time directed by Paige Rattray.
The scenario is a simple one. Mag. an elderly mother, in her seventies, and Maureen, her grown up. single daughter, in her forties, share a house together. Their living together is anything but harmonious.
Mag spends her time being obnoxious and making life difficult to the point of unbearable for Maureen. Maureen. Maureen looks after her mum in a resentful way and dreams of a way out.
To break the monotony of their existence they have a visit from Pato Dooley who tells Maureen of a party happening that night. Mag doesn’t want Maureen to go but Maureen doesn’t give in to her manipulations and goes. Tensions reach boiling point when Maureen returns home late that night with Ray Dooley, Pato’s younger brother. Dooley romantically calls her his beauty queen of Leenane.
Paige Rattray’s direction is flawless and wins great performances from her cast.
One could not tell it was Noni Hazlehurst playing Mag Folan such was the quality of the make-up work done by Lauren A. Proietti. Hazlehurst was very convincing as Mag, an inscrutable, obnoxious woman in her twilight years who will do anything to have her daughter Maureen stay with her. This was a very fine, memorable performance.
Yael Stone gives a terrific performance as Maureen Folan who i desperate to leave the relationship but finds every path blocked. I loved the impish, brazen quality that Stone gave her character.
Shiv Palekar is tremendous as Maureen’s suitor Ray who is drawn to her and tries to overlook the baggage that she comes with.
Hamish Michael gives a great performance as Ray’s older brother Pata, a bit of a clumsy, awkward character who provides a lot of the comic relief in the play.
As sad as this play is, a kind of black humour does run through the play.
Renee Mulder’s set is an impressive revolve set with the main action taking place in the Folan’s living room. When the set turns around we see Leenane’s remote, bleak hilly landscape which surrounds their house. There is a sense that the Folan’s are isolated from the town.
Steve Francis’ edgy soundscape works to add to the drama taking place on stage.
This is one of the finest, most complete productions I have seen this year.
Martin McDonagh’s THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE is playing the Roslyn Packer Theatre, Walsh Bay until Saturday 21 December, 2019
https://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/