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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lonesome_West

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Reviews

'Lonesome West' - Another Winner for Black Box
- By Cheryl Thornburg, Sun News C-1 [Friday, September 14, 2001]

The title of No Strings Theatre's latest production, "The Lonesome West," may sound like Old West melodrama, but it is far from it.

The play is set in Ireland and enters around two brothers who have a very complex, adversarial relationship. The brothers are ought to life by two very capable local actors - Brandon own as Valene and Patrick Payne as Coleman.

As the play opens in the family home, almost every item on stage is marked with a large "V" for Valene. It quickly becomes evident that in the wake of their father's death, Valene has inherited virtually everything and Coleman is practically penniless. Brown is appropriately rigid d critical as the greedy, obsessive Valene, who collects religious figurines.

Payne counters that with a charming, roguish Coleman who s and cheats and has somewhat violent tendencies. The two often get into physical scuffles and the fight scenes are well done and believable.

Though there are plenty of laugh-inducing scenes, as with Martin McDonagh's

other plays such as "The Cripple of Inishmaan" produced by American Southwest Theatre Company last season, the underlying story here is not funny. As with real life, the people involved have both good and bad points and the dynamics of their relationships re complicated.

Add to the mix an insecure priest, Father Welsh, played by Eric Young with sensitivity. Welsh tries repeatedly to resolve the conflicts between the brothers without success.

Also playing into the plot is Girlene, a vivacious 17-year old who visits the home regularly, supplying Valene with his supply of indigenous alcoholic beverage. Emily Cross handles the role of the spunky, flirtatious young woman well.

The four have mastered the Irish dialect, and after the first few lines, the audience adapts to the rhythm and patterns of the language.

There are plenty of four-letter words, but as in ASTC's production of McDonagh's "The Cripple of Inishmaan," the dialect seems to lessen the impact of such words.

Director Cell Herman has chosen her actors well, and the pairing of Payne and Brown, two of the most talented actors in the area, really makes this production.

As with previous NSTC shows, the music, lighting and set all are part of a complete theater package that's worth the price of the ticket.

Performances continue today through Sept. 22. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m., and there will be two matinee performances, Sunday, Sept. 16, and Saturday, Sept. 22, at 2:30 p.m.

Performances are at the Black Box Theatre, 430 N. Downtown Mall. Ticket prices are $7 regular, $6 students and seniors over 65 and all seats on Thursdays are $5. For reservations call (505)-523-1223 or online www.zianet.com/nstcbbt

Seating

No seating plan has been posted.