The Saviour – Dublin Theatre Festival – Review
by Frank L.

The Saviour by Deirdre Kinahan – Landmark Productions

27 Sep – 8 Oct – Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire – €30 – €35

Kinahan has chosen Maire Sullivan (Marie Mullen), a woman of a certain age, as the vehicle to explain some of the transformative revelations in recent times which have adjusted the dogmatic certainties of Irish life. She is a mother of grown-up children and a widow. The action begins with Maire sitting in her double bed enjoying a post-coital cigarette. Her lover, Martin, is an unexpected arrival in her life. He has disappeared downstairs to make her a cup of coffee. She has to tell her friend Jesus her good news about Martin, even if it breaks many of his rules, which she faithfully believes. Jesus is her closest companion and confidante. She recounts to Jesus and the audience her life story. It contains as Paula Meehan states in the programme notes, ‘enough incidents to derail any human being’. But she has survived and now in her mature years, she has found a new man who opens up all sorts of exciting prospects.

The incidents which Maire recites are unfortunately common but ought to be shameful to those who ensured they were kept hidden under wraps for many years. Kinahan’s script brings them to a grim new life as she requires us to imagine the horror of working in a steamingly hot laundry run by nuns, day in and day out, without a break. However, none of the bad things that have happened can shake Maire’s belief in Jesus. Notwithstanding the darkness of the events which Maire describes the script is replete with humour. There is a great deal to laugh at and with. It is also unsettlingly novel as it requires us to imagine very mature individuals having sex. However, the whole tone of the play alters with the arrival of Mel who is visiting his mother with news. He confronts Maire’s newfound happiness with some unwanted facts.

Mel’s arrival is facilitated by Ciaran Bagnall’s revolving set which moves seamlessly from Maire’s bedroom to a white kitchen with hard surfaces. There are no dark corners in this kitchen. There is no place to hide for Maire as she faces reality.

Maire is on stage for the entire performance and is only joined by Mel (Jamie O’Neill) in the second half. As the play lasts approximately seventy minutes it is a huge role for any actor. Mullen is well-equipped to tackle such a role and she undoubtedly holds you gripped as she explains Maire’s story. However, there is an almost irreconcilable conflict that lies within the role. The actor has to be extraordinarily experienced to even attempt it while the part requires that Maire has a naivity which is necessary as she sets out on her new amorous adventure. As Mullen is such an accomplished actor it is a stretch to imagine her being that naive but the text requires it. This is a dichotomy which will face any actor who attempts to play Maire. It is a very substantial challenge. That said, Mullen kept the audience gripped at all times, assisted by her uncanny knack of finding humour in the script and playing it up as required. Her confrontation with Mel was razor-sharp as her world crumbled. O’Neill played the role of Mel who had the unenviable task of destroying Maire’s innocence as he tried to force her to face reality. Their exchanges moved seamlessly from loving mother/son to a difficult confrontation, which is quite tragic.

Landmark Productions and Kinahan have brought a play of substance and value to the theatre festival. It addresses some of the serious issues which Ireland continues to face about its past, notwithstanding the revelations of recent years. It is theatre that requires each member of the audience to acknowledge that turning a blind eye is an inadequate response. It makes you consider the issues which still need to be highlighted.

Directed by Louise Lowe
Set and Lighting Design: Ciaran Bagnall
Costume Design: Joan O’Clery
Sound Design: Aoife Kavanagh

Cast: Marie Mullen and Jamie O’Neill

Presented by Landmark Productions, The Saviour received its world stage premiere at the Irish Repertory Theatre in New York in July 2023. It was first broadcast online in June 2021 as part of Cork Midsummer Festival. The performances at Dublin Theatre Festival mark its Irish stage premiere.