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Lovers of gallows humour and characters with not-so-moral personalities will love this story of venomous vindictiveness in brotherhood.
From the writer of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, In Bruges, The Banshees of Inisherin and The Beauty Queen of Leenane, The Lonesome West is Martin McDonagh’s savage, uproarious tale of two brothers.
The Connor brothers are never not at each other’s throats – not even after their father’s untimely death. As their town is plagued by unsolved murder and petty crime the Connors are more concerned with battling it out over unresolved childhood grievances, to the frustration and disbelief of their neighbours and local priest. However, their more sinister sides cannot remain hidden beneath childish bickering forever.
Lee Beckhurst and Andre de Vanny are the picture of warring brothers, neither allowing the other an inch and both willing to throw the other under the bus one minute, and save them the next. Their spiteful bickering flows almost too naturally! Ruby Henaway as Girleen Kelleher and Abe Mitchell as Father Welsh are outstanding as the brothers’ long-suffering neighbours, desperately trying to put some sense into the Connors. Henaway’s performance is particularly compelling despite her having the least time on-stage.
Irish accents, a tattered flat split exactly in two and gory twists and turns come together in this delightfully dark comedy stew.
Purchase your ticket to The Lonesome West here.
Skinsy White | Wine Pairing
The bickering and vitriol between the brothers leads me to a textural white, something with a bit of character and grit to withstand the strong themes of the story!
My Pick: Mallaluka 2022 Pinot Grigio, Hilltops, NSW
One from the menu of The Old Fitz! This skinsy white drop has a good degree of texture – you know it’s been there due to its nice long finish on the palate.
The Lonesome West, Old Fitz Theatre & Empress Theatre | Tasting Notes
| Aussie Season | 13 Jan to 4 Feb 2024, Old Fitz Theatre. Produced by Empress Theatre |
| Ticket $ | $35-55 |
| Writer | Martin McDonagh |
| Director | Anna Houston |
| Theatre Type & Genre | Play, dark comedy |
| See it if you like | Banshees of Inisherin, In Bruges |
| Wine Pairing | Skinsy white |
| Criteria for Wine Pairing | Texture, long finish |
Toasting Aussie Theatre 