Note: We have reviewed the latest production of ‘Conversations on a homecoming’ here.

This is our review of the Druid Murphy play ‘Conversations on a homecoming’ which was in the Gaiety Theatre as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival last October.

This is the first of the Druid Murphy cycle, and is set in Galway in the 70’s. The story revolves around an actor returning to see his old childhood friends, after ten years in the United States. It is a one act play, set in their local pub and sees the group meet, and move from their initial excitement and story telling, to more in depth discussion and arguments on how their lives have evolved and the choices they have made.

It is a impressive piece of writing to hold the attention of the audience for what is little more than a conversation in a bar, with constant worry over who has the next round and how slow the service is. The acting is absorbing and subtle, with each of the characters well drawn out by the cast. Garrett Lombard stands out as the school teacher, that seemed destined to be the brightest of them all, but ended up trapped due to the weight of responsibility of his family.

These are new productions with a different cast from the originals, which are soon to be on tour around Ireland, full details are here:

2013 TOUR SCHEDULE:

April 12 – 20 – Town Hall Theatre, Galway

April 23 – 27 – Siamsa Tíre, Tralee

April 30 – May 11 – Gaiety Theatre, Dublin

May 14 – 18 – Dunamaise, Portlaoise

May 21 – 25 – Glór, Ennis

May 28 – June 1 – An Grianán, Letterkenny

June 4 – 8 – Backstage, Longford

June 11 – 15 – Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire

June 18 – 22 – Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick

CAST

Charlotte McCurry – Peggy (Conversations)

Edwin Mullane – Hugo (Whistle)

Marie Mullen – Missus (Conversations)

Garrett Lombard – Tom (Conversations) & Harry (Whistle)

Maeliosa Stafford – Dada (Whistle)

Marty Rea – Michael (Conversations) & Michael (Whistle)

Rory Nolan – Liam (Conversations) & Iggy (Whistle)

Stephen Jones – Junior (Conversations) & Hugo (Whistle)

Michael Glenn Murphy – Mush (Whistle)

Judith Roddy – Anne (Conversations) & Betty (Whistle)

Gavin Drea – (Des (Whistle)