Mixed Marriage

Synopsis

As the city's factories come out on strike, John Rainey, the respected head of a Protestant family, acts to calm the sectarian tension being stirred up by politicians for their own ends. On the streets, Rainey successfully unites Catholic and Protestant against the machinations of the factory owners, the nationalists and the Orangemen. But at home, passions rise when Rainey discovers that his son wants to marry the beautiful, innocent Nora, a Catholic... Set in Ireland before partition, Mixed Marriage is a poetic tragedy - leavened with earthy humour - which dissects class and religious sectarianism through the breakdown of one ordinary family. It was a groundbreaking success in its time and established Ervine as a great Irish writer.

Our Review:

7 October 2011

The Finborough have billed their latest show as a "rediscovery" – and what a good one it proves to be. This being the first London production in 90 years of Saint John Ervine's tragedy, and yet Sam Yates’ exciting production assures us that the play's issues remain timeless.

The story focuses on the Rainey family in Belfast in 1911 - a city rife with political struggles and sectarianism. We follow John Rainey, a proud Protestant father who successfully unites Catholic and Protestant factory workers who are on strike together. However, trouble comes closer to home as his son falls for a Catholic girl and threatens to tear the family apart.

Daragh O'Malley plays John Rainey as a restrained giant of a man – physically present but emotionally fragile. He is a man of business and efficiency - evident in his abrupt “amen” at the dinner table. We’re intrigued too as he tenderly pats the head of his wife Fiona Victory - a cute insight...

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Latest User Review

Gareth James - 16 October 2011:

Another neglected gem at the Finborough - this time a passionate 100 year-old play by St John Ervine about the sectarian divide in Northern Ireland. Influential orange man John Rainey is persuaded by son Hugh and his catholic friend Michael to speak in encouragement of unity against employers exploiting the sectarian divide, but when he overhears his son expressing his love and intention to marry catholic Nora, he turns and reverts to anti-catholic rhetoric. This deepens the divide and starts riots in which the family is caught up. The personal and political are played out together very successfully in Sam Yates’ excellent production. The writing is a bit idealistic, which makes it occasionally preachy, but it certainly packs a punch in its 80 minute running time. Though the political landscape may seem to have changed, personal attitudes like John’s clearly still exist, which gives the play a contemporary resonance. Richard Kent has created a very evocative one-room set with equally evocative period costumes. Aklex Baranowski’s terrific sound design effectively conjours up the off-stage riots towards the end of the play. It’s beautifully played by a faultless cast. I don’t know how many of them have Northern Irish blood (if any) but the accents seemed to me to be spot on. Daragh O’Malley has huge presence and charisma as John, balanced by his more tolerant wife, beautifully played by Fiona Victory. Christopher Brandon’s Hugh and Damien Hannaway’s Michael are every bit as passionate as their roles require. Joel Ormsby as younger brother Tom and Nora-Jane Noone as, well, Nora, complete the fine cast. Yet another find and another deeply rewarding visit to the Finborough. If ever a theatre punched above its weight, this one certainly does....

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