Critically-acclaimed haunting ghost tale set in a rural pub

Critically-acclaimed haunting ghost tale set in a rural pub

30 August 2017

THERE’S no dark like a dark winter’s night in the country. Conor McPherson’s eerie tale The Weir, set in an isolated rural pub, is coming to the Lyric Theatre.

It tells the story of Brendan’s pub, a lonely setting above a Leitrim town, where the men are gathering for their daily pint. 

The arrival of a stranger in their midst – a beautiful woman – spurs them to impress her with stories. They are stories of souls past, spirits present and spectres unforeseen. One story, however, is more chilling, more sinister and more real than any of them could have foreseen.

On its première in 1997, The Weir won the Evening Standard, Critics’ Circle and Olivier Award for Best New Play, and established Conor McPherson’s eerie tale as a masterpiece of modern theatre. Quietly compelling and strangely chilling, Decadent’s production marks the first major Irish revival and national tour.

The Lyric’s Executive Producer Jimmy Fay said: “The Weir is a haunting and brilliant play written by Conor McPherson at the preposterous age of 25. It is a modern classic as it has already withstood the test of time given that it first premiered 20 years ago in the Royal Court upstairs and has become part of the repertoire of both British and Irish theatre’s ever since. 

“It is one of the most effective ghost plays ever written. Through the sheer power of their storytelling the protagonists haunt us with stories of quiet eeriness and unfulfilled longing. They tell each other stories to prove to one another that they are alive and help keep the darkness at bay.

“It is a beautiful, redemptive play full of tender moments of kindness and I am delighted that the Lyric could bring Decadent’s acclaimed production to Belfast with such an outstanding cast. Andrew Flynn as a director has an innate understanding of this world and it is wonderful to welcome him back since his extraordinary production of Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman had us all on the edge of our seats a couple of years ago.”

The Weir’s Director, Andrew Flynn, said: “It is an honour to get to direct a play like The Weir at the Lyric. The magic and intimacy of the Lyric stage will enhance this production.  The words, story and characters captivate. It is a night in bar, like no other night — a night where an audience will be entertained, moved and even spooked.  It’s also a dream to work with actors of the talent and calibre of Frankie McCafferty, Garrett Keogh, Patrick Ryan, Marty Maguire and Kerri Quinn.”

Gilly Campbell, Arts Development Officer for Drama and Dance, Arts Council of Northern Ireland said, “Conor McPherson is an award-winning, critically-acclaimed, modern playwright and the Arts Council is delighted to see his ghostly play, The Weir, coming to the Lyric stage supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery funding.” 

The Weir runs from September 5 to 30 at the Lyric Theatre. Contact the box office on 028 9038 1081.