The Ferrymen at Gielud Theatre review

Set in 80s Northern Ireland, the cast of The Ferrymen, led by Paddy Considine deliver a powerful and heart-warming performance tainted with IRA violence and sprinkled with some of Sam Mendes’ signature derelict glamour.

The situation in Ireland is still somewhat contentious. Hatred and unrest still bubbles in Belfast’s underbelly. Writing and performing a play in the centre of London, a place where numerous IRA atrocities took place, with a very anti-British feel is brave.

Personally, I see it from both sides, but I spent my pre-teen years running away from Safeway shopping bags or smoldering bins on Action High Street and watching the news showing the aftermath of exploding Transit vans and desecrated shopping centres, so my view is also seen through the terror lenses.

However, the cast and script were warm and delivered the realism of normal family life besmirched by the troubles. Just like in any family where people’s every day is besmirched by the current political climate. At the moment, I’m sure dinner tables are sullied by talks of Brexit, ISIS and Trump. No one agrees, not even people who grew up in the same household.

Set in an 80s farm outside of Belfast owned by Quinn Carney, whose brother, Seamus, vanished 10 years earlier after being bought into the bosom of the IRA by Quinn. The play opens with the discovery of his body in marshland near the border; his death never quite explained.

The title was explained about two-thirds into the three and half hour performance, it comes from Virgil’s telling of the Greek myth about Charon who is the ferryman to Hades, taking souls out of purgatory or the unburied into the next world.

This play is very much the story of people trapped in their own personal purgatory while they wait for news of a missing husband/father/brother/uncle, it depicts family unity in the face divisions, political and personal and how when the ferryman takes people into the next world, it's not the sweet smell of release, but the opening of fresh wounds that might (or might not) heal into eternal bliss.

A stellar performance was had by all, even the live goose, rabbit and baby. Aunt Pat, played by Dearbhla Malloy, stole the show with her sass queen lines. Dementia sufferer Aunt Maggie acted as narrator, taking us on journeys to tell the stories of the different characters – turning them from characters in a play to human beings we can relate to. And who could resist the cutting wit of an early teen in Declan Corcoran, played by  Michael McCarthy.

Never have I seen a modern-day play that's so enthralling, let alone leaves you begging for a sequel.