The Ferryman (play)
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| The Ferryman | |
|---|---|
 Official production artwork | |
| Written by | Jez Butterworth |
| Date premiered | 24 April 2017 |
| Place premiered | Royal Court Theatre |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Drama |
| Setting | Rural County Armagh, 1981 |
The Ferryman is a 2017 play by Jez Butterworth. Set during the Troubles, it tells the story of the family of a former IRA volunteer, living in their farmhouse in rural County Armagh, Northern Ireland in 1981.[1]
The play is set in a farmhouse in County Armagh, Northern Ireland in 1981.[1] It is harvest day in 1981 and a multi-generational Irish Catholic farming family consisting of Quinn, Mary, and their seven children share their rural home with Uncle Pat, Aunt Mary, Aunt Pat, Quinn's sister-in-law Caitlin, and her son Oisin. Caitlin's husband 'disappeared' in 1971 and his remains have been uncovered at a politically sensitive time for the Republican Movement.
Production history
London (2017)
The Ferryman had its world premiere at the Royal Court Theatre on 24 April 2017 running to 20 May, directed by Sam Mendes.[2] It was the fastest-selling play in Royal Court Theatre history.[3] The cast included Paddy Considine, Laura Donnelly (the disappearance of her real-life uncle, Eugene Simons, was the inspiration for Butterworth's plot),[4] Genevieve O'Reilly, Bríd Brennan, Fra Fee, John Hodgkinson, Stuart Graham, Gerard Horan, Carla Langley, Des McAleer, Conor MacNeill, Rob Malone, Dearbhla Molloy, Eugene O'Hare and Niall Wright.[5]
West End (2017–2018)
The production transferred to the Gielgud Theatre, opening on 29 June 2017, following previews from 20 June.[3] After a first cast change on 9 October 2017 with William Houston (Quinn Carney), Sarah Greene (Caitlin Carney), Ivan Kaye (Tom Kettle) and others joining the company,[6] a second cast change took place on 8 January 2018, featuring Rosalie Craig (as Caitlin Carney), Owen McDonnell (as Quinn Carney), Laurie Kynaston (as Oisin Carney), Saoirse-Monica Jackson (as Shena Carney) Sean Delaney (as Michael Carney), Kevin Creedon (as JJ Carney), Francis Mezza (as Shane Corcoran), Terence Keeley (as Diarmaid Corcoran), and Justin Edwards.[7] The production closed on 19 May 2018.
Broadway (2018–2019)
The production transferred to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Broadway, beginning previews on 2 October 2018 with many members of the London cast. The play, which went on to win four Tony Awards, including Best Play, closed on 7 July 2019.[8][9]
Cast and characters
| Role | Royal Court | West End | Broadway |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2018 | ||
| Aunt Maggie Far Away | Brid Brennan | Fionnula Flanagan | |
| Lawrence Malone | Turlough Convery | Glenn Speers | |
| Michael Carney | Fra Fee | ||
| Muldoon | Stuart Graham | ||
| Tom Kettle | John Hodgkinson | Justin Edwards | |
| Shena Carney | Carla Langley | ||
| Diarmaid Corcoran | Conor MacNeill | ||
| Aunt Pat | Dearbhla Molloy | ||
| Mary Carney | Genevieve O'Reilly | ||
| Quinn Carney | Paddy Considine | ||
| Caitlin Carney | Laura Donnelly | ||
| Shane Corcoran | Tom Glynn-Carney | ||
| Father Horrigan | Gerard Horan | Charles Dale | |
| Uncle Pat | Des McAleer | Mark Lambert | |
| Oisin Carney | Rob Malone | ||
| Frank Magennis | Eugene O'Hare | Dean Ashton | |
| JJ Carney | Niall Wright | ||
| Mercy Carney | Elise Alexandre Darcey Conway Darcy Jacobs Scarlett Nunes Scarlett Jolly |
Willow McCarthy | |
| Honor Carney | Sophia Ally Grace Doherty |
Matilda Lawler | |
| Nunu Carney | Clara Murphy Angel O'Callaghan Isla Griffiths |
Brooklyn Shuck | |
| Declan Corcoran | Michael McCarthy Xavier Moras Spencer Jack Nuttall |
Michael Quinton McArthur | |
Notable cast replacements
West End (2017–2018)
- Aunt Maggie Far Away: Maureen Beattie
- Tom Kettle: Ivan Kaye, Justin Edwards
- Mary Carney: Catherine McCormack
- Quinn Carney: William Houston, Owen McDonnell
- Caitlin Carney: Sarah Greene, Rosalie Craig
- Shane Corcoran: Laurie Davidson
- Oisin Carney: Laurie Kynaston
- Michael Carney: Sean Delaney
- Shena Carney: Saoirse-Monica Jackson
Broadway (2018–2019)
Source:[10]
- Quinn Carney: Brian d'Arcy James
- Caitlin Carney: Holley Fain
- Mary Carney: Emily Bergl
- Uncle Pat: Fred Applegate
- Muldoon: Ralph Brown
- Michael Carney: Sean Delaney
- Tom Kettle: Shuler Hensley