The Cripple Of Inishmaan

The Cripple Of Inishmaan
Martin McDonagh
Methuen Drama, 1997

First impression:
The very first thing I noticed after reading Much Ado... is that the stage directions are very elaborate, and unless this is important for the progression of plot, I find it too indulgent by the playwright to put it there, as though he wants to claim the play for his own imagination. Not as harsh as it sounds, but it will keep my eyes open.

Review:
I read the play a first time and had no especially flattering thoughts on it. I found the stage directions disturbing, the conversations too stilted and repetitive, and felt that the theme might have been better approached in a different way. However, after a second reading inset with discussions and re-enactments, I have come to enjoy it more, finding that I simply had the wrong glasses on before. This play in context with other works of McDonagh's suddenly made a lot more sense to me; it both elevated the parts I already liked, such as the colloquialisms, and introduced new elements and themes, like the constantly flickering perception of what actually is. It also made me look at the violence and grimness in a different way, and I am actually curious of The Lieutenant Of Inishmore at the moment. I will still not call it fantastic, but it certainly has potential.

Rating: Good