The Rising of the Moon – Bewley’s Cafe Theatre – Review
by Frank L.

The Rising of the Moon – Written by Lady Gregory

The play was first performed in the Irish National Theatre (the Abbey) in 1907 shortly after the riotous first performance of J.M.Synge’s “The Playboy of the Western World”. It is a patriotic play and shows the conflicting loyalties that a police sergeant might face in those complex political times.

It is a short play, lasting about 45 minutes, with characters – a Man (Oisin Thompson), a Sergeant (Michael Tient) and a Police officer (Molly Whelan). The action takes place on a deserted quayside which the authorities think revolutionary elements might use in order to rescue a prisoner who has escaped from jail. The play begins with the police officer discussing with the Sergeant where a wanted poster offering a reward for the escapee should be posted. The Police officer leaves and scurrying along the quay arrives the Man who when challenged describes himself as a poor balladeer. By the means of ballads, including “the Rising of the Moon” the Sergeant and the Man reveal a great deal about their inner thoughts.

The imposing figure of Tient makes an impressive sergeant as he balances his official role with his own personal circumstances and the songs of his upbringing. Thompson, who has several ballads or parts of ballads to sing, shows the ingenuity of someone who must live by his wits. Their encounter uncovers that both of them have more in common than initially seemed to be the case. Their conversation is of substance and their respective knowledge of ballads lays the foundation of a greater understanding of each other.

While it is a short play it still packs a punch. Lady Gregory did not go in for padding. It is worth seeing today for itself but also historically. It shows how a skilled playwright over a century ago presented the most important political issue facing that society, even if the audience might not yet have been aware of its importance. Bewley’s Cafe Theatre deserves much praise for reviving this well-constructed, short play.

CAST AND CREW:

PERFORMED BY: Michael Tient, Oisín Thompson and Molly Whelan
DIRECTED BY: Eoghan Carrick
SET DESIGN: Chrysi Chatzivasileiou
LIGHTING DESIGN: Eoin Winning
COSTUME DESIGN: Toni Bailey
SOUND DESIGN: Fiona Sheil
SCENIC PAINTER: Arden Tierney
STAGE MANAGEMENT: Rachel Ellen Bollard
ASM : Dragana Stevanic
PHOTOGRAPHY: Al Craig