NEW YORK—Noted Irish theater critic Fintan O’Toole has written: “More than a half century after his death, William Butler Yeats is still Ireland’s foremost avant-garde playwright.”
Apparently the powers-that-be at the Irish Repertory Theatre are in complete agreement. Charlotte Moore, artistic director, and Ciarán O’Reilly, producing director, have concocted a stunning cycle entitled “The Yeats Project,” currently presenting in repertory all 26 plays written by Yeats.
Two cycles consist of a total of eight fully staged one-act plays on the main stage, with the remainder of Yeats’ beautiful poetic one-acts receiving concert readings in the Rep’s downstairs Studio Theatre. There are other events that I will mention later.
In Cycle A, in “The Countess Cathleen” (Yeats’ first published play), the eponymous countess (Terry Donnelly) is beset by a famine throughout her territory. Her peasant tenants are distraught for they will literally starve to death unless some remedy is found.
In the hut of Shemus Rua (Sean Gormley), wife Oona (Fiana Toibin) and son Teigue (Justin Stoney), express desperation. But then the family is visited by two strangers, Merchant A (Patrick Fitzgerald) and Merchant B (Kevin Collins), who offer them anything they may need—providing the family will barter their souls. These “merchants” are obviously not what they seem. Oona fears them and feels they “do not leave their shadow.”
All the tenants throughout the area offer to barter their souls, until finally the Countess Cathleen offers her own soul in exchange for those of her tenants. She dies, having saved everyone else.
In “The Cat and the Moon,” a Blind Beggar and a Lame Beggar vie with one another as to which is more important—for the blind man to see, or for the lame man to have his soul. The play projects both humor and insight.
“On Baile’s Strand” is an intense story based on an old Celtic myth with two great kings, Cuchulain (Kevin Collins) and Conchubar (Peter Cormican), vying for power. In the end, Cuchulain’s son, called here Young Man (Justin Stoney), meets a tragic fate through his father’s ignorance and arrogance. The setting itself inspires awe. The program note states: “The Great Hall of Dundealgan on the sea at a remote time.”
Needless to say, on the Rep’s small stage it is best to hint, to imply grandeur. Set designer Charles Corcoran and Jan Hartley rise to the occasion. In one play, the boiling sea is effectively projected against the stage walls. Costumes by David Toser likewise are subtle and simple.
Under Charlotte Moore’s sensitive direction, the actors inhabit their roles with the utmost seriousness and skill. Taking highest honors are Terry Donnelly for her rich understanding of the role of the Countess Cathleen, Patrick Fitzgerald for his sly and nimble Merchant A, and Peter Cormican for his powerful King Conchubar. Others in the cast include Amanda Quaid, William J. Ward, and Amanda Sprecher.
Cycle A appears in repertory with Cycle B, with all B offerings directed by Ciarán O’Reilly, except for “The Land of Heart’s Desire,” which is directed by Ms. Moore. Others in the B list include “The Pot of Broth,” “Purgatory,” “A Full Moon in March,” and “Cathleen Ni Houlihan.”
In addition to the plays, there are various special events, including poetry readings, panel discussions, public participation, and films.
For information, call the Rep’s box office: (212) 727-2737.
The Yeats Project
Cycle A
Irish Repertory Theatre
132 West 22nd Street
Tickets: (212) 727-2737
Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Closes: May 3
Diana Barth writes and publishes “New Millennium,” an arts newsletter. She also reviews for www.TotalTheater.com.
