Grania – Abbey Theatre – Review

21 September – 26 October 2024
As part of the Dublin Theatre Festival 2024

Written by Augusta Gregory
Directed by Caitríona McLaughlin

Augusta Gregory, aka Lady Gregory, was more than a century ago, an essential element in the Irish literary revival and in the formation and running of the Abbey Theatre. She was a folklorist and playwright. Her big house at Coole Park, near Gort, was a haven for many writers and artists, including W. B. Yeats. Her unique contribution to the creative arts in Ireland, while acknowledged, has with time, gradually been overlooked as more pressing voices have claimed the stage.

Caitriona McLaughlin, the current director of the Abbey, seeks to counterbalance this comparative neglect with the production of Grania, Gregory’s 1912 interpretation of the Irish mythical figures of Grania (Ella Lily Hyland), Finn (Lorcan Cranitch) and Diarmuid (Niall Wright). It is a world of warriors, physical prowess and male bonding. The role of women, while acknowledged as essential for the happiness of man is in many respects a part player in the greater scheme of things. Gregory’s Grania upends some of these certainties as her Grania severs the relationship between Finn and Diarmuid.

The outstanding element of this production is Colin Richmond’s set. It is on three levels with reeds and bullrushes giving the impression of being beside water on a river bank. At times rain falls and Grania even relaxes indulgently in an accommodating pool. Visually it is a delight throughout. The sense of displacement is enhanced by two vocalists (Laura Sheeran and Sean Boylan) who are like wandering minstrels whose voices open the story and punctuate it. Their contribution is valuable as it underlines the nomadic element of these people’s lives.

The challenge for a contemporary audience is the actual language of Gregory’s text. While it is perfectly comprehensible its cadences and rhythms were written more than a century ago and hark back to mythological times. In that sense, they are now somewhat foreign. Cranitch appeared entirely at ease with the text and was always at one with it. Hyland has the most challenging role to interpret as Grania is the centrepiece of the story. Her physical and intellectual presence is as powerful as Gregory intended it to be but at times her delivery is quite rigid. Wright’s Diarmuid is the least complex of the three characters as he is fairly straightforward. A healthy, youthful and love-struck warrior. Wright conveyed all of that admirably.

McLaughlin as artistic director of the Abbey is to be congratulated for reviving on the Abbey stage a Gregory play. In fact, for whatever reason, it is the first time Grania has been performed at the Abbey. It predates the revolutionary experiences that were about to change Ireland “utterly” and is part of the cultural renaissance which led to that change. It is not an easy night at the theatre but it is valuable on its own merits and the visual beauty of the production is to be treasured.

Credits
Finn: Lorcan Cranitch
Grania: Ella Lily Hyland
Diarmuid: Niall Wright
Vocalist: Laura Sheeran
Vocalist: Seán Boylan

Writer: Augusta Gregory
Director: Caitríona McLaughlin
Set Designer: Colin Richmond
Costume Designer: Catherine Fay
Lighting Designer: Sinéad Wallace
Composer and Sound Designer: Carl Kennedy
Movement Director: Eoin Mac Donncha
Hair and Make Up: Leonard Daly
Voice Director : Andrea Ainsworth
Assistant Director: James Riordan
Associate Lighting Designer: Matt Burke
Photography: Conn McCarrick