Juno and the Paycock at Gielgud Theatre
Matthew Warchus’s production of Seán O’Casey’s 1924 classic Juno and the Paycock delivers a stirring mix of humour and despair against the backdrop of the Irish Civil War with its brilliant cast and set design. Warchus balances the play’s comedy with the grim realities of war in a disarming contrast that draws the audience into Captain Boyle’s delusions, only to reveal the tragedy lurking underneath.
The plot centres around “Captain” Jack Boyle (Mark Rylance), a hopeless slacker who wastes his time and money telling tall tales at the pub with his friend Joxer (Paul Hilton) rather than looking for work, while his wife Juno (J Smith-Cameron) both works and attempts to keep the family together despite her husband’s failures. Their daughter Mary (Aisling Kearns), meanwhile, is on strike, and son Johnny (Eimhin Fitzgerald Doherty) is disabled, having lost his arm during the Irish War of Independence.
Rylance’s performance is central to Juno’s power, with his buffoonish charm masking darker truths. Although the audience is amused by his antics, his behaviour conceals his unwillingness to confront his own guilt, which lends a deep sense of tragedy to the role. Juno, on the other hand, is the moral heart of the story. Smith-Cameron easily portrays her as the likeable matriarch who maintains a level head against all odds, even as her whole world falls apart.
The set by Rob Howell subtly evolves as the Boyle family’s fortune changes; but in a striking final moment, it changes drastically to reveal a colossal bullet-riddled Madonna della Pietà – a powerful reminder of the horror that ties the tragedies together.
As such, Warchus’ Juno and the Paycock is a definite success. While the strong emphasis on juxtaposing comedy with the horrors of poverty may not appeal to everyone, it’s an atmospheric show that deserves to be seen.
Michael Higgs
Photos: Manuel Harlan
Juno and the Paycock is at Gielgud Theatre from 21st October until 23rd November 2024. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.
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