Writer: Conor McPherson
Director: Conor McPherson
Synopsis: It's Christmas Eve and Sharky has returned to Dublin to look after his irascible, ageing brother who's recently gone blind. Old drinking buddies Ivan and Nicky are holed up at the house too, hoping to play some cards. But with the arrival of a stranger from the distant past, the stakes are raised ever higher. In fact, Sharky may be playing for his very soul.
NEW YORK TIMES:
"Gorgeous, vitally intelligent performances." & "Directed by Mr. McPherson, one of the finest ensembles to grace a Broadway stage in years uncovers the soul-defining clarity within the drunkard’s haze. Alcohol may be a great leveler, but as these men confirm with spectacular style, it is also a great individualizer."
Read the whole review HERE.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS:
"Seafarer" has its faults. The first half is slow and mostly exposition. McPherson, who also directs, uses a contrived device, twice, so Sharky and Lockhart can talk one-on-one. But the superlative acting balances things out. Together, the five actors form a winning hand." & "It would be a sin to reveal Sharky's fate. Suffice it to say that the play's divine final image goes down as smooth as a fine single malt."
Read the whole review HERE.
NEW YORK POST: "The writing is standard issue Irish-playwright whiskey-sodden banter - very good of its quick interweaving, miasmic kind - and the characters are odd enough to be diverting company for a couple of hours." & "McPherson's staging goes at a nicely galloping pace, and the acting throughout is excellent." & "the play never lives up to the expectation of its premise. It doesn't, in the end, even surprise."
Read the whole review HERE.
NEWSDAY:
"Dominated by the kind of showy acting, often about the Irish and iconically sloshed in alcohol, which either cracks you up or does not."
NEW YORK SUN:
"Conor McPherson splits the difference between these two stylistic extremes — scouring existentialism and goofball humor — in his fitfully profound "The Seafarer." & "Mr. McPherson sees to it that each actor gets his laughs and/or shudders, but often at the expense of cohesion." & "Satisfying if slightly gimmicky conclusion."
Read the whole review HERE.
BLOOMBERG:
"Like many a country-and-western ballad, ``The Seafarer'' is engaging. The payoff may lack transcendence, but the journey has been entertaining nonetheless. Cliches, to paraphrase Oscar Wilde on sentimental music, have their power."
Read the whole review HERE.
ASSOCIATED PRESS:
"Haunting yet often hilarious tale of a memorable Christmas Eve poker night in a dingy Dublin suburb. The play...is filled with talk - colourful, spirited language that is seized with gusto by an excellent five-person cast "
Read the whole review HERE.
VARIETY:
"This imperfect but beguiling new wortk is considerably enhanced by McPherson's expert direction and some uncommonly fine acting." & "here's much to savor here in the vividly alive character details and fully inhabited performances."
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