BWW Reviews: THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE at ACT

Seattle's ACT is presenting Martin McDonagh's bloody Tony Award nominated play, "The Lieutenant of Inishmore".  And if you're looking for a darkly (and I mean DARK) hysterical little story about IRA rejects torturing prisoners, assassination attempts and the murder of beloved pet cats, then this could be the show for you.

Yes you heard me right, cat murdering.  Don't worry, you don't actually see the murder ... of the cat ... but plenty of humans ... but I'm getting ahead of myself.  Let's start from the beginning.  INLA (and IRA splinter group) hit man Padraic loves his pet cat Wee Thomas.  But since he's always out and about torturing and killing and blowing up buildings he leaves his cat with his father Donny.  But when Donny's bumbling neighbor Davey shows up with Wee Thomas in his arms with half his head bashed in, the pair is terrified as to what killer Padraic will do when he finds out his cat has been snuffed out.  And just who did it?  Add into the mix Mairead, Davey's teenage sister and budding INLA killer in her own right and a trio of fellow INLA assassins on a mission to take out Padraic and what you have is gory good time, assuming you find comedies about murder a hoot, which I do when they are handled right.  And let me tell you this is handled just right.  Yes, we are dealing with real issues in this troubled world of IRA and INLA killings but it's all handled with a shrug of "It's just life, so let's laugh about it."  And laugh we did!

I don't want to give away anything but let's just say that if your attitude toward comedy is, "the darker the better" then get ready for one hell of a ride complete with tons of blood.  No, there's no "Splatter Zone" for this one.  You won't need a poncho like at "Evil Dead".  All of the blood stays on stage but it ends up EVERYWHERE! 

The cast is wonderful!  Jeffrey Frace is adorably psychotic as Padraic.  He manages to walk the fine line between a heartbroken guy who just lost his best friend and psycho-killer.  Basically we manage to feel sympathy for the poor guy, even as he's torturing someone.  And speaking of torture, special kudos to David Roby who played a dual role as Joey and as James (a scene he had to perform while hanging by his heels).  But really, the entire ensemble is great here.  Each one in step with the other and keeping the pace clipping along.

And then there are the effects.  Technical Director Steve Coulter and his team of effects wizards have done themselves proud with the gruesome elements of the show.  Again, I don't want to give anything away but I'll just say that they really hacked their way into the project.

Just a fun evening of theater as we join Padraic mourning Wee Thomas in his own special way.  And again, if dark comedy and blood and gore are not your thing, stay home.  But if you can relish in the humor of The Situation then you're bound to have a great time.  Just leave your cats at home.

"The Lieutenant of Inishmore" plays at Seattle's ACT through November 14^th.  For tickets or information contact the ACT box office at 206-292-7676 or visit them online at www.acttheatre.org.

Photo Credits: Chris Bennion

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