There Came a Gypsy Riding

Synopsis

The McKenna family convenes at their remote West of Ireland holiday home to mark the 21st birthday of their late son Gene. Eccentric cousin Bridget appears along the causeway, inviting herself for birthday cake and conversation, and ready to expose a family secret. Even Margaret, the unstoppable mother, and Leo, the calm father, can t hold things together in the face of an unexpected visit from the past.

Our Review:

19 January 2007

Folksy charm, a sensual pleasure in language and story, witchy wisdom, superstition, a dash of music and the power of alcohol - the staple ingredients of Irish drama are all to be found in Frank McGuinness’ latest piece. And yet they are not so much relished as subverted. Alcohol, for a start, is celebrated, discussed and feared, but not a drop is drunk on stage.

The McKenna family - parents Leo and Margaret and adult children Simon and Louise - meet at their remote holiday cottage on the west coast of Ireland to celebrate another son’s 21st birthday. Only he isn’t there: Gene committed suicide two years before this fraught, grief-stricken gathering during which the participants struggle to be “normal” under Margaret’s rule. A strong woman who escaped a brutal, poverty-stricken childhood to become a university lecturer, she has decreed that there will be no wallowing, no tears - and no alcohol. Ironically, the family’s considerable wealth comes from selling booze and Gene died...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

Louise Dodds-Ely - 13 February 2007:

We were lucky enough to be among those at the WOS outing to Gypsy Riding on 6th February, and we had a spectacular evening. Everything went right, from finding a parking space right outside the theatre, to having a long chat with the charming and funny Eileen Atkins at the WOS reception afterwards. The play itself was superb, extremely funny but also very moving in places. The subject of the death of a child, even as an adult, is not one that one would normally associate with any sort of humour, but all of the characters had some very funny lines (especially Eileen Atkins -- what an amazing performance). The serious moments were also very well handled by all the cast, especially Imelda Staunton; her "breakdown scene" was heartbreaking. Loved it, want to go again, but no tickets to be had! Just have to pray for a West End transfer....

Read more and add your own review

Related Whatsonstage.com Articles

Review Round-up: Is Gypsy Riding into Acclaim? More»