Send this picture as an ecard

Gordon Joseph Weiss, David Adkins, Allyn Burrows, Jim Frangione, and Mark Zeisler (L-R)

Photos by Meghan Moore.

The Seafarer, by Conor McPherson
Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Directed by Charles Towers

October 15 – November 8
132 Warrren St.
Lowell, MA 01852

The Seafarer, by Conor McPherson, opens in a dingy row-house basement, outside of Dublin, where we meet two brothers, Rich (Gordon Joseph Weiss) and Sharky (David Adkins), and their hung-over friend, Ivan (Jim Frangione). The darkly funny first act hardly seems like the fable that the play is supposed to be, where the characters snipe at each other in a pre-Christmas, alcoholic binge, but it is a set-up for the real story which comes to life in the second act. At first we don’t know the character’s motivations or their stories, and without reading the publicity first, I wouldn’t have known that Richard had recently become blind. He stumbles with what seems to be a gimp leg, or which could have been partly due to his drunkenness. Sharky, who is his younger brother and now his caretaker, takes a lot of verbal abuse that seems uncalled for.

The second act reveals all when two new guests arrive, one a reminder of Sharky’s dark side. Still, Sharky is trying to stop drinking and it’s not easy with liquor flowing freely, each character exhibiting his particular flavor of drunk. When Mr. Lockhart (Mark Zeisler) one of the guests threatens to take Sharky’s soul if he loses the poker game, it appears that all is lost. But it is Christmas after all, and Sharky , “the one with potential.” has the audience rooting for him. The story ends in redemption, a tale of inner strength and second chances.

Each character is totally believable and I am transported to Ireland, no question, but Rich, the blind brother lights the stage with his character’s effervescent yet mecurican personality. As usual at the MRT, great attention is given to detail in the set design, and the on-stage flat is perfect from the unfinished stucco and panelled walls to a real staircase, to the wood stove that glows when Sharky adds logs to the fire. A must see, but remember that the second act is where it’s at.

Share on Facebook