In the rugged hills of western Ireland two brothers live in a dreary, lonesome cottage. They squabble over everything, and the death of their father escalates their feud into comic mayhem. Martin McDonagh's dark comedy "The Lonesome West" is an Irish "Odd Couple" crossed with the story of Cain and Able. The play is gleefully incorrigible about the dark joys of inhumanity.

The play open March 14 and runs through April 13, 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 two brothers, Coleman and Valene. Their father has just died under mysterious circumstances and the two brothers escalate their feud over who owns what. The young new parish Priest, Father Welsh, tries to mediate, but instead is drug into the ever more malicious antics between the brothers.

Martin McDonagh is the best and most controversial playwright working. His plays "The Pillowman" and "The Lieutenant of Inishmore," smash hits on Broadway, were nominated for several Tony awards. McDonagh won an Oscar in 2006 for his short film "Six- Shooter," and a new movie "In Bruges," written and directed by him just opened. Known for his Irish plays such as "The Beauty Queen of Leenane," and "The Skull in Connemara." 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.

Ray Saraceni plays Valene, the blackmailing, religious icon hoarding younger brother. Saraceni has performed throughout Philadelphia in shows like "Luther," "Terra Nova," "Hamlet," and "The Elephant Man." Anthony Giampetro plays Coleman, the brooding, murderous older brother. Giampetro was critically acclaimed for his performances in "Of Mice and Men," "Requiem for a Heavyweight," and "One Flew Over the Cukoos Nest."

Adam Altman, an Iron Age veteran, plays Father Welsh, the hapless, but hopeful Priest trying to save the brothers from themselves. Altman has received rave reviews for his performances in other McDonagh plays done by Iron Age. Kate McLenigan plays the fiery booze peddling Girleen. The multi-talented McLenigan has been seen in "Man of LaMancha," "Skygirls," and "Little Shop of Horrors."

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 revivals of Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men," and presented the comic hits "A Skull In Connemara," and "The Criplle of Inishmaan," both by McDonagh.

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 or visit us on the web at www.ironagetheatre.org