Award-winning playwright Conor McPherson brings his production, The Brightening Air, to Dublin’s Gate Theatre for its Irish premiere. The play, which explores themes of longing and the supernatural within a 1980s rural Irish homestead, opens tomorrow night and runs through August 30. The production follows a run at London’s Old Vic.
Plot and Setting: A Return to 1980s Folklore
Set in the rural northwest of Ireland, The Brightening Air follows adult siblings Billie and Stephen as they navigate their shared family home. According to McPherson, the story centers on the arrival of two outsiders: an excommunicated priest uncle, Fr Pierre, and an estranged brother, Dermot, played by Chris O’Dowd. Their arrival disrupts the siblings’ established, albeit semi-functional, life, triggering a series of events characterized by McPherson as a blend of “longing, magic and the fates that tear us apart.”
McPherson chose the early 1980s as the setting to mirror his own childhood experiences in County Leitrim. “Stories about folklore and magic were still very much in the air,” McPherson stated, noting that the oral tradition of the time allowed these elements to feel “first-hand.”
Did you know?
Conor McPherson is a recipient of the Laurence Olivier Award and has received five Tony Award nominations. His previous acclaimed works include The Weir and Girl from the North Country.
The Cast Experience and Directorial Approach
Chris O’Dowd, who reprises his role as the “blackguard” Dermot, expressed enthusiasm for performing the play for an Irish audience. “I haven’t done a play in Dublin in 22 years, so it felt it was long overdue,” O’Dowd said. He noted that the immediacy of live theater—hearing the audience’s reactions in real-time—enhances the performance.
Derbhle Crotty, who portrays Elizabeth, described the play as “very fast-paced, very funny, and very touching.” She highlighted that the production deals with characters at various life crises, involving complex relationship dynamics and supernatural undertones.
McPherson, who directs the production, emphasized his preference for working directly with actors to shape the final product. “It’s always so inspiring, and it’s really a great way for me to finish the play because they always have terrific ideas,” he said. He suggests that directing his own work allows for a level of flexibility that might not be present when working with other directors.
Future Trends in Irish Contemporary Theatre
As noted by O’Dowd, there is a distinct value in originating a new play by a contemporary Irish writer, particularly when the work reflects the specific geography and oral histories of the country.
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Pro Tip:
When attending contemporary Irish drama, focus on the interplay between the dialogue and the physical space. Directors like McPherson often utilize the “room” as a character itself, especially in stories involving isolated, rural settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The Brightening Air being performed?
The play is being performed at the Gate Theatre in Dublin.
How long does the production run?
The show runs at the Gate Theatre until August 30.
Who is the director of the play?
The play is directed by the writer, Conor McPherson.
What is the play about?
It follows two adult siblings in 1980s rural Ireland whose lives are disrupted by the arrival of their estranged brother and an excommunicated uncle, leading to conflicts involving family history and the supernatural.
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