The Lonesome West on stage in Szeged

NewsCulture

Dec 15

Martin McDonagh's dark comedy The Lonesome West premiered at Kisszínház, the smaller stage of the Szeged National Theatre, on Friday evening.

Director Gábor M. Koltai toned down the play’s dark, depressive tone to let its black humor shine through, as he mentioned during the first table read. Rita Vereckei’s unique set design, with its skewed and unbalanced planes, heightens the grotesque experience, as does the continuous swearing that saturates the dialogue in Dániel Varró's translation.

The three-hour play, performed in Hungarian, is staged in two acts with one intermission. Due to its explicitly foul language, the theater recommends the production for audiences aged 16 and older.

The Lonesome West, first performed in 1997, is a dark comedy by Oscar and Emmy-winning Irish-English playwright, screenwriter, and director Martin McDonagh. Set in the bleak, rural town of Leenane in County Galway, Ireland, the play centers on the turbulent relationship between two brothers, Coleman and Valene Connor. Trapped in a relentless cycle of petty squabbles and simmering resentment following their father’s suspicious death, the brothers argue incessantly over trivial matters – like the ownership of household items, snacks, and religious figurines. These seemingly minor conflicts quickly escalate into physical and emotional outbursts, exposing the deep-rooted anger, loneliness, and dysfunction that define their lives.

At the heart of the story is Father Welsh, a disillusioned and despairing priest who sees the brothers' hostility as a symbol of his own failure to bring peace to the community. Adding further depth is Girleen Kelleher, a spirited young woman with a troubled home life, who seeks connection and escape from her grim surroundings.

Part of McDonagh’s Leenane Trilogy, including The Beauty Queen of Leenane and A Skull in Connemara, The Lonesome West explores themes of familial dysfunction, moral decay, and the human yearning for redemption. Through razor-sharp dialogue, biting humor, and moments of shocking violence, McDonagh masterfully balances comedy and tragedy.

McDonagh, celebrated for his dark humor, sharp wit, and unflinching exploration of human nature, is renowned for both his stage and screen work. His notable films, such as In Bruges and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, have earned him critical acclaim and numerous accolades.