 | The Centre Theatre and  Iron Age Theatre
The Cripple of Inishmaan Directed and Designed by John Doyle and Randall Wise
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Egg-smashing entertainment in wild Irish comedy “The Cripple of Inishmaan” in November at Norristown’s professional theatre
American movie director Robert Flaherty is set make a film about life on the rugged Irish Aran Islands. The news sets off a frenzy among the islanders who all want to get a part in the movie. The person with the least chance, a sad, disabled orphan named Billy actually makes it to Hollywood. The comic mayhem that ensues shows the true colors of the people around him and exposes the romantic myths of rural Ireland in the very funny dark comedy “The Cripple of Inishmaan” by Martin McDonagh.
The play open November 3 and runs through the 26, Fridays through Sundays at the Centre Theatre in the Montgomery County Cultural Center, 208 DeKalb Street Norristown. Showtimes are at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20. Call 610-279-1013 for information, or visit the web at www.ironagetheatre.org Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketleap.com
McDonagh combines a love of traditional story-telling with the ironic humor and perspective of the modern generation. Born and raised in Ireland, McDonagh pokes fun at the myths and harsh realities of life in rural Ireland.
The story involves “Cripple” Billy, his slightly odd Aunts, and the other colorful characters on the Island of Inishmaan as they insult, poke, prod and batter each other in a frantic attempt to get into the movie.
Martin McDonagh is the best and most controversial playwright working. His most recent plays “The Pillowman” and “The Lieutenant of Inishmore” were smash hits on Broadway and nominated for several Tony awards. Known for his Irish plays such as “The Beauty Queen of Leenane,” and “The Lonesome West.” McDonagh has said he wants “to write plays that shake you up a little bit.”
In the tradition of the great Irish writers John Millington Synge, Sean O’Casey and Samuel Beckett, he succeeds. McDonagh’s plays are permeated with a dark, brooding Irish cynicism, counterpointed with verbal wit and physical comedy. There’s a strong undertow of violence, too. McDonagh subverts traditional romantic attitudes towards the west of Ireland with portrayals of the mean-spiritedness and petty jealousies below the surface of rural Irish life.
Adam Altman plays Billy, the disabled hero of the story. Susan Giddings plays his candy-hoarding aunt. Giddings has acted at the Wilma Theatre, Theatre Exile, Lantern Theatre and many others. Steve Hatzai plays the gossipy, self-proclaimed “newsman,” JohnnyPateenMike. Hatzai is a veteran performer who has acted at Interact Theatre, Theatre Catalyst, Villanova Theatre and in many Iron Age shows. Playing Billy’s other, slightly loopy, Aunt is Linda Newsted.
Rounding out the cast are a stellar group of actors including Katy O’Leary, Judy Clifford, Mattew J. McDonough, David Yashin and Steve McLean.
Working together, the Centre Theatre and Iron Age Theatre have been one of the most critically acclaimed companies working in the Philadelphia Area. They received a Barrymore Nomination for Best Lead Actor for “The Elephant Man” in 2005. Their 2003 show “Terra Nova” was nominated for a Barrymore Award for outstanding ensemble. The company also produced the critically acclaimed revival of Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men,” and last spring presented the comic hit of the season with McDonagh’s play “A Skull In Connemara.”
The Centre Theater is in the Montgomery County Cultural Center at 208 DeKalb Street in Norristown. It is easily reached from Routes 202, I-76, I-476 and Ridge Pike. There is plenty of free parking and the theatre is one block from Septa's Norristown Transit Center, R6 line. Call 610-279-1013 for tickets and information
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