Jilly Morgan’s Birthday Party – Pavilion Theatre – Review

This play takes us back through time, as we meet Jack (Patrick Ryan) over several decades of his life. We follow his transition from a self absorbed young man into a difficult older man! Jack remembers back to the fateful day in 1983. It was Jilly Morgan’s Birthday Party, and he finally got the girl on a perfect night… or was it? Things are not quite what they seem as the facts get blurred over the years.

The other character is Kate (Georgina Miller), an old friend of Jack. There are many sliding door moments and chances missed between Kate and Jack.  Is a chance at redemption and a good life with Kate? The heart knows what it wants. 

The play is directed by Joan Sheehy, who is possibly better known as an actor than a director.. It is written by Irish playwright Liam McCarthy and takes inspiration from Anton Chekhov’s short story The Kiss. Liam is in the unusual situation of having two plays on in Dublin at the same time, with his play He Dies in the End part of the Dublin Fringe Festival.  Jilly Morgan’s Birthday Party is currently touring Ireland with full dates below.

The set and lighting (by Paul Keoghan) echo the plot, with sliding panels of clear and frosted glass with black surrounds. It is simple and stylish.

There is nothing particularly original about the setting or the structure, but the characters are convincing and we see the changes in Ireland reflected in their lives, from celtic tiger excess to modern times.  The setting of Limerick city works well and will resonate with those that know the city.  We see the years go by like a blur, and wonder at what could have been.

Jilly Morgan’s Birthday Party
by Liam McCarthy | Directed by Joan Sheehy

Written by Liam McCarthy
Directed by Joan Sheehy

Cast: Georgina Miller & Pat Ryan

Set and LX Design: Paul Keogan
Sound Design: Tom Lane
Costume Design: Gemma Morris
Dramaturg: Darren Murphy
Movement Consultant: Myles Breen

JILLY MORGAN’S BIRTHDAY PARTY – AUTUMN 2025 TOUR SCHEDULE:

Limerick – Lime Tree Theatre: Thursday 11 – Saturday, 13 Sept
Dún Laoghaire – Pavilion Theatre: Wednesday, 17 Sept
Sligo – Hawk’s Well Theatre: Tuesday, 23 Sept
Longford – Backstage Theatre: Thursday, 25 Sept
Galway – Town Hall Theatre: Saturday, 27 Sept
Cork – The Everyman: Tuesday, 30 Sept
Ennis – glór: Thursday, 2 Oct
Tralee – Siamsa Tíre: Saturday, 4 Oct
Portlaoise – Dunamaise Arts Centre: Tuesday, 7 Oct
Waterford – Theatre Royal: Friday, 10 Oct