Fair Deal – Abbey Theatre (Peacock Stage) – Review

A World Premiere Abbey Theatre production – Fair Deal
Dates: 11 February – 28 March 2026

Written by Una McKevitt
Directed by Conall Morrison

It is the end of an era, with the last night for the Thorntons in their family home. We meet the various members of the family and hear their complex stories. There is the man-child Daragh (Garrett Lombard), a modestly successful actor who lives for his trade and the lifestyle that goes with it, still drinking and taking drugs like he’s in his 20s, despite having considerably more miles on the clock. Sandra (Aislín McGuckin) is a world-renowned interior decorator dealing with the homes of the rich and famous. She now lives in L.A. and didn’t come home for her own mother’s funeral, but somehow has just arrived through the door. Sandra’s daughter, Kiera (Caroline Menton), was left the family home, despite being the granddaughter of the deceased. The reason is obvious, as she seems the most level-headed of the bunch, with a job in IT and a promising career ahead of her. The most recent addition to Sandra’s life is Rio (Jack Weise), a man she met on a dating app, but she hardly knew his name before they ended up in bed together. If all of this doesn’t seem complicated enough, there is the small problem of Kiera’s uncle, Terry, who is lying unconscious in a bed upstairs. Terry is going to be moved to a nursing home in the morning, and his future looks grim, with the same genetic illness that took his father. The Thorntons are a complicated bunch, and so is their last night in the family home. Expect the unexpected!

This is a new comedy by Una McKevitt, which goes for laughs with its madcap familial connections and over-the-top stories. Una is known for works such as One Good Turn, which was on the main stage of the Abbey in 2024. She was also involved with a large number of smaller productions, such as Madhouse (2019), Singlehood (2012) and Alien Documentary (2016), among others.

Set designer Liam Doona has indulged in 80s suburban bliss, with this ‘lost in time’ recreation of the Dublin design aesthetic. The subtly clashing walls and floor coverings compete with a wood panel kitchenette for your attention. The crowning glory is a framed oil painting of their grandmother, standing proud, in the middle of a golf swing.

Early on, there are moments you think this work is going to explore Ireland’s housing crisis or come to some conclusion on the modern dysfunctional family unit, but instead it moves towards farce with far-fetched plot twists and characters. The play has several gears, and slowly works its way towards the high-octane finish. Aislín McGuckin’s Sandra is a wonderful creation and really deserves a longer life than given here. It feels like she’s dropped in from an 80s American soap opera, and will go to any length to get what she wants. Garrett Lombard is not normally associated with comedy, but his Daragh captures a man who won’t grow up. He’s immature, irresponsible, and lacking the life skills expected of his age. Caroline Menton’s Kiera is the voice of reason in amongst the madness. Director Conall Morrison keeps the pace high, and you’re never bored in this unusual comedic creation. The twists are more what you would associate with a Hollywood thriller than the Irish stage, and they just keep coming. If you’re in need of a lift from the endless rain, this will put a smile back on your face.

Credits
Daragh: Garrett Lombard
Sandra: Aislín McGuckin
Kiera: Caroline Menton
Rio: Jack Weise

Writer: Una McKevitt
Director: Conall Morrison
Set Design: Liam Doona
Costume Design: Joan O’Clery
Lighting Design: Eoin Winning
Composition and Sound Design: Denis Clohessy
Fight Direction: Niamh Hogan
Intimacy Coordinator : Ruth Lehane
Hair and Make Up: Tee Elliott
Collage Artwork: Sorcha O’Higgins