Big Maggie

3rd - 19th July 2009

By John B Keane

Directed: Patrick Talbot
Designed: Johanna Connor
Lighting: Paul Denby
Costumes: Pat Mahon
Music: Joe Philpott

Cast:

The small-town North Kerry that John B Keane wrote about in 1969 with such scandalous honesty has largely disappeared. Yet this play, arguably his masterpiece, still has a merciless driving force.

The story of Big Maggie Polpin and her ‘tough love’ is an enduring theatre favourite. On the death of her husband Maggie is determined to create a better life for herself and her children. The problems arise when her vision of the future begins to sit with increasing discomfort on the shoulders of her surly offspring. All doesn't go to plan and like most Irish families there is a rebellion in the camp.

The dialogue crackles with hilarious, caustic putdowns as the indomitable Maggie deals with her feckless family and unwanted suitors. Everyone wants a part of Big Maggie and her property but she has other ideas.

JB Keane's creation of this Irish matriarch ranks with Juno and Molly Bloom as one of the great female characters of twentieth century Irish literature.

'Pat Talbot's direction brings us through the social realities, prejudices and cruelties of the time with an eye for the hunour but also for the warps in families and parishes.'
Evening Echo

'It is a testiment to Mahon-Buckley's acting that she can seamlessly move from being a money-grubbing harriden who stymies her childrens plans to an independent woman alone in the world who still has sexual, if not romantic,desires..'
Irish Examiner

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