THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD
2003 / 2004

The Playboy of the Western World"As one of the most oft-visited of the 'Irish classics', you'd have thought there was little life left to be wrung out of Synge's Playboy of the Western World. But as they so often do, Big Telly Theatre Company spring on stage and prove you wrong. Currently on the road and on its way to the Riverside this week their production is a rollicking, spirited take on a story that often threatens to swing from tragedy to farce as Playboy Christy Mahon tries to carve a new future by using the unreliable blade of the past. ...inventive characterisation by Orr and Walsh, transform themselves into Honor Blake and Sarah Tansey ...a delight, filled with memorable performances and many hilarious moments."
"...Zoë Seaton brings a strong hand to the Director's rudder and has coaxed some excellent performances from a sterling cast all in all, a welcome return visit to Synge's world."
Coleraine Chronicle, February, 2003

"...a refreshingly irreverent look at Synge's bittersweet comedy".
"Seamus Allen's Christy is full of puckish charm whose confidence visibly grows as tales of his shocking deeds spread. Abigail McGibbon's spirited Pegeen Mike is a young girl grown old before her time, destined to a gloomy match with the timid and pious Shawn Keogh (wonderfully played by John Lovett)."
"Honor and Sara are memorably played by Richard Orr and Jack Walsh, all flapping hands and mock shock."
"...Director Seaton brings out both the subversive comedy of the play, and its underlying tragedy."
Belfast Telegraph, February, 2003

"Playboy has sold out in every venue it has appeared in so far."
"...Big Telly imprimatur of innovation."
"...Total theatre then, with great dialogue, and great acting from a cast of Irish talent."
Irish News, February, 2003

"...this is a rather stylish affair"
"In Seamus John Allen, director Zoë Seaton has found the perfect Christy Mahon."
"...Abigail McGibbon is a strong, no-nonsense match for him"
"Pegeen and Christy's wooing scene tears at the heart simply by virtue of its still tenderness."
"...But Allen's twinkling presence will be an abiding memory"
Irish Times, March, 2003

"...a production rich in life's zest which laughs along with Synge's bizarre creations Seaton's love of the work comes through, truly, madly deeply."
"Seamus Allen's Christy is an athletic preening wonder... Jack Walsh and Richard Orr deliver foolish spinsterdom with assured vigour. But the rosette goes to John Lovett's creeping Jesus, of a Shawn Keogh, never bettered."
Newsletter, March, 2003

"Meanwhile, Big Telly Theatre Company gave that old classic, Playboy of the Western World, a jolly good shake and played it for laughs with an engaging Seamus Allen in the title role at the Riverside Theatre in Coleraine."
Belfast Telegraph, January, 2004

"The performances are very strong indeed, from Allen's impish and charismatic but cowardly Christy to the powerfully energetic duet of Jack Walsh and Michael O'Reilly...Similarly, the staging superbly evokes the shabby pub...a very enjoyable evening and to be recommended."
September 2004, BBC Radio Berkshire

"This Irish born and bred theatre company perform this play with realistic credibility, portraying the characters sympathetically and performing the piece with a real understanding of all things Irish...[Big Telly] transform Synge's dialogue into lyrical poetry."
September 2004, The Stage Online

"Synge's masterpiece makes a great tale, and the way its told in this production directed by Zoë Seaton with an all-Irish cast, makes one appreciate the rich use of colloquial West Ireland speech where Synge shows his love of the flow and rhythms of Irish-English speech."
September 2004, Theatreworld Internet Magazine

"This is one of the best productions I've seen for some time. It's a mixture of humour, pathos and raw emotion...there were excellent performances from the cast...don't miss this one..."
September 2004, Kick FM Hampshire

"...deliciously ironic comedy."
September 2004, The Guide, Guardian Newspaper

"It has everything - family fisticuffs, outrageous comedy sequences, scintillating Irish banter, and, right at the core, a timeless love story...the company has consistently produced work of the highest calibre - stimulating, entertaining, and ever ready to spring a surprise on its audience...directed by Zoë Seaton within a shimmering and stylish design...this production has attracted sell-out houses all over Ireland."
September 2004, Basingstoke Observer

"Big Telly produces high-quality work that is stimulating, entertaining and surprising."
September 2004, Farnham Herald

"...a fantastic opportunity to experience, for the first time, the wealth of wit in the work of writer J.M. Synge...judging by the audience laughter on the night I attended, his humour remains as crisp as it was back in the early performances on the Dublin stage...the cast perform the rigours of this play with vigour and style...find yourself smiling in appreciation of what is truly one of the greatest 20th Century plays."
October 2004, Basingstoke Gazette

"Impressive cameo performances by Lynda Gough (Widow Quinn) and John Lovett (Shawn Keogh) added to the charismatic ambience created by Chisato Yoshimi's set."
September 2004, Reading Chronicle