Port Authority—Imago Theatre—SE Portland

          The Pluck of the Irish

    This LIVE production, is written by Conor McPherson, directed by Jerry Mouawad  and produced by Carol Triffle.  It plays through March 24^that Imago’s space, 17 SE 8^th Ave. (off E. Burnside).  Street parking can be an issue, so come early.  Recommended for 16 and up.  For more information, contact them at www.imagotheatre.com or call 503-231-9581.

   What we see may not be what we get…but what we get may be what we deserve.  A random thought after seeing this play.  The mind/memories are a tricky thing.  When musing on the Past, what thoughts spring to mind which, of course, are only brief snippets of our history.  But why those, and why now…as we linger, perhaps, at a terminal waiting for the next transport?

    This play calls to mind some European shows, such as, No Exit, of a bygone era…or of one closer to home, Thornton Wilder’s, Our Town.  If given time to reminisce, “…what dreams may come?”  The sum total of our existence may not be earth-shattering, as we might anticipate…but like little cat paws upon an unbroken landscape, leaving not a trace behind.

    And so, we are left with three unconnected of three Irishmen at a terminal left to ponder and linger in thoughts of yesteryear.  I won’t go into the depths of their stories, for those should be absorbed by an audience’s virgin ears.  But you might consider your own biographies when listening to theirs.

    Kevin (Mikhail Duggan) has a rather uncommitted, carefree life, living at home with his parents until it is strongly suggested he needs to try and make it on his own.  So, he gets himself roommates of questionable types, except for Clare, who he’s a bit smitten with.  They carouse together with rock music being their common thread.  A life full of empty possibilities, until, toward the end, a long walk will awaken, perhaps too late, a more purposeful path appearing.

    Dermot (Matthew Sunderland), is a family man who has not found his niche in life yet.  And his meanderings down Life’s pathways, leads him to drug and alcohol as being just the right fit for him.  But, finally, the opportunity of a lifetime, a dream job, falls into his lap and he is on cloud nine, but his navigational skills are in need of repair.  Then truth and reality raise their ugly heads and it’s not a pretty road anymore.

    Joe (Tory Mitchell) is living at a Senior Center, whiling away in memoires, in the sunset of his life.  A harmless sort who has had a fine wife and kids but now only random memories invade his mundane existence.  That is, until a small package arrives with a photo and a note of a chance encounter he had left behind and it opens up a world of what-might-have-been for him.  A cruel footnote at the end of his journey, or a dream to hang his hat on?

    To me the stories themselves are not the only highlight of the production, but the way they were told, and the tellers, made a fulfilling couple of hours.  My friend remarked he thought they were talking directly to him, with their eyes on his, and I felt the same.  The intensity of those run-of-the-mill stories are what made them so compelling!  The combination of McPherson carefully crafted script, the astute direction of Mouawad and he the insightful performances of these three actors are very much worth your while!

    I recommend this production. If you do see it, please tell them Dennis sent you.

--DJS