It's Showtime!!! - Theatre Review - The Plough and The Stars.

Hi!!!

Good morning, lovely people. How are you today? I have another theatre review for you, and it is once again a production at the National Theatre. Today we're going to discuss 'The Plough and The Stars', which is in its preview stages.

'The Plough and The Stars' is a play by Sean O'Casey. It was written in the 1920s and is based on the events of Easter Uprising of 1916 - this production at the National Theatre commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the uprising. When the play was first performed in Dublin, the audience broke out into fights and WB Yeats famously said to the audience, "You have disgraced yourselves again".

 

It follows a group of Dubliners living in tenement housing and the problems they faced before and during the unrest. The group are men and women with different religious beliefs and views on Ireland and the rebellion. There is tragedy, sometimes comedy, and many aspects to this plot.
 

 

The play itself is good, but possibly covers a few too many things. A lot happens within that two hour and forty minute space, and sometimes it can feel a bit much. Other than that, I really like the content of the play and the way it focuses on real life as well as the uprising, that there is a human focus to such an event.

 

The set is a good backdrop to the action. It features a pub, houses and a street and they are detailed, despite being simple.

 

There are lots of characters in 'The Plough and The Stars' and therefore lots of actors. I was truly impressed by Judith Roddy (Nora), who gave a very emotional performance, Stephen Kennedy (Fluther), who was hilarious when he needed to be, and Justine Mitchell (Bessie), who performed her dynamic character, who is bold and different and yet also caring, with admirable skill.

The rest of the cast were also very good and I think they successfully breathe life into O'Casey's characters. In such a big cast, I don't feel any of the characters are lost, which speaks in the actors favour.

 

I'd give a solid and enthusiastic four stars to this production of 'The Plough and The Stars'. I was very impressed, particularly with the standard of acting, and I would recommend it to you all (especially if you like historical plays and/or have an interest in Irish History).

 

To find out more about 'The Plough and The Stars' at the National Theatre, click here.

You may also like to check out this video, which will show you the variety of different characters represented in the play.

 

And that concludes my review. I hope you enjoyed it.

Have you seen 'The Plough and The Stars'? Do you have any theatre recommendations for me? Have you got any other comments or suggestions for future posts? Be sure to let me know in the comments section - I'd love to hear from you.

Thank you for reading.

 

Have an awesome day!

 

GingerSnaps xxx