By Brian Gray
Pinnacle Acting Company’s The Beauty Queen of Leenane in Salt Lake City is a delightfully devastating dark comedy leaving audiences stunned. This should be expected from a play by Martin McDonagh, writer of Seven Psychopaths, In Bruges, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri. Unlike his films, McDonagh’s plays, such as The Cripple of Inishmore, or A Skull in Connemara, often focus on the rural or small-town life of Ireland. As with his other plays, location and setting are essential in The Beauty Queen of Leenane, dispelling the rural stereotype of simple-living folk. With the additional backdrop of the tumultuous time period in Ireland known as The Troubles, a deeply rich narrative about complex individuals is interwoven throughout the story.
Directed by Jared Larkin, The Beauty Queen of Leenane is set in a small, dimly lit rustic living room (set design by Allen Smith, lighting by Emilio Casillas) located in the village of Leenane on the western coast of Ireland. The stone-lined walls add an ancient feel offset by the dingy appliances and outdated furniture, and, at times, the 90’s era outfits donned by the characters (costume design by Jessica Rubin). The set is pushed right up to the audience, where the front row occupants are practically inhabiting the living room along with Mag (Teresa Sanderson) and Maureen (Melanie Nelson) which creates an intense intimacy.
The story revolves around Mag, an elderly woman, and her daughter, Maureen, an aging lonely spinster who has only been kissed by two men in her entire 40 years. Maureen takes care of her mother, who seems to never leave her chair, let alone the house. Mag is entirely dependent on Maureen, who must cook and prepare tea for her. Their relationship is strained, as Mag and Maureen derive a sick pleasure in barraging each other with insults and invectives.
Maureen is frustrated in her role as Mag’s caretaker, believing she’ll forever remain alone in her small town chained to her petulant mother. Her loneliness is alleviated one evening, though, with the brief homecoming of Pato (Nicholas Dunn), with whom she spends the night. The next morning, Pato attempts to exit the house only to run into Mag. After a brief conversation, Maureen emerges from her bedroom, flaunting her sexuality in front of her mother, creating a palpably awkward moment for Pato. Disturbed by Maureen’s audacity, Mag proceeds to denigrate Maureen in an attempt to sabotage the nascent romance, accusing her of abuse and mental instability. As with most of McDonagh’s plays, the truth is slippery and spurious as the audience’s sympathy is pulled in various directions until nobody can be trusted as the narrative unravels.
McDonagh displays a mastery of presenting multiple conflicting sentiments onstage. While tragedy gradually unfurls, the audience can’t help by laugh at Ray Dooley’s (Callahan R. Crnich) tirade about losing his swingball. The cast navigates these opposing emotions deftly, presenting seamless interactions and dialogue. Sanderson’s effortless performance as a curmudgeon oppressive mother is especially poignant, counterbalanced by Nelson’s skilled performance of an insecure and anxious woman struggling to maintain a grasp of her waning youth. The physicality and subtle artistic choices add a depth to the performances, further entrancing the audience.
If you are looking for a play that will draw you in and leave you speechless, then The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Pinnacle Acting Company is your production. Due to language and content, this play may not be suitable for younger audiences. However, as a piece of interesting dynamics within a family, this show shouldn’t be missed.
Pinnacle Acting Company presents The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh.
Dumke Black Box Theatre in the Jewett Center for the Performing Arts, 1250 E 1700 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84105 (There is ample parking located in the parking garage immediately west of the building.)
June 13-15, 21-22, 28-29 7:30 PM, June 28 2:00 PM
Tickets: $18, $15 for students and seniors
Contact: 801-810-5793
Pinnacle Acting Company Facebook Page
The Beauty Queen of Leenane Facebook Event
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