The Cripple of Inishmaan– Week Three

This week has seen an exciting gear change. We’ve continued to work on scenes in real detail, exploring the characters’ motivations and refining the physical shape of each scene.

Martin’s text is incredibly rhythmic and precise, and the company has really started to find the clarity and momentum of the dialogue and the text is starting to sing. It’s been joyful to watch these extraordinary characters blossom.

Michael has been encouraging the actors to experiment with pushing the cruelty and ruthless nature of the characters’ behaviour, and to release themselves from any desire to want love or sympathy from an audience. This has had a liberating effect. Suddenly characters seem to come into sharper focus, along with the realisation that by doing justice to the tough, often brutal thread that runs through the play, this is what gives the piece its wonderful humanity.

We also welcomed the understudies into the rehearsal room this week, to allow them to begin to observe and learn the show. Four understudies are covering the nine parts, so they have a lot to take on board over the next few weeks to ensure they’re up to speed by the time we hit the theatre.