Families Can Be Complicated – The Saviour

Aug 18, 2023 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Susie Rosenbluth and Sue Weston, Two Sues on the Aisle

The Irish Repertory Theatre’s performance of Deirdre Kinahan’s play The Saviour explores the relationship between Máire, an aging Irish mother played by legendary Irish actress Marie Mullen, and her son Mel (Jamie O’Neill).  Their conversations expose challenges faced by families with aging parents who desire independence yet appear ill-equipped to deal with the responsibility.

The Saviour begins as an ostensibly one-woman show with Máire propped up in bed savoring a cigarette, which she refers to as a ‘fag’ after a night of passion on her 67^th birthday.

Difficult Conversation

Máire, a devout Catholic, carries on a running conversation with Jesus, leaving the audience questioning the fusion between facts and fantasy. She recounts her life while waiting for her lover to return with a cup of coffee, but he never appears. Instead, her son Mel arrives with a birthday present. He has also come to have a difficult conversation on behalf of the family. We were shocked by the nature of that ‘difficult discussion’.

Mel provides the view with a reality check. He confirms that the downstairs is empty, noting his mother’s confusion, he asks why she is still in bed, and if she has been smoking.  Finally, he asks if her ‘gentleman caller’ spent the night.  She leaves these questions unanswered.

Later, Mel shares the family’s concerns. After a bit of investigation, they discovered Máire’s boyfriend’s identity.  He is a convicted pedophile who has spent time in jail. Mel asks his mother if she has ever left her grandchildren alone with him—another question she avoids answering.

Perspectives

We are accustomed to stereotypical Jewish grandmothers who shep naches from their grandchildren. Máire is a different grandmother, dutifully accepting the role of a babysitter for her grandchildren. She has a complicated relationship with her family and her sole confidant is imaginary.

We found parallels to the plight of aging parents, who reminisce about their past and see their youthful vision gazing back when they look in the mirror. Author Deirdre Kinahan shows how the world intermingles and intertwines for the elderly, causing them confusion, and casting doubt on their judgment.

The Saviour also explores the theme of forgiveness. Though Máire easily forgives her boyfriend’s transgressions, she is unable to accept her son for who he is.

The Irish Repertory Theatre 

The Irish Repertory Theatre was founded by Ciarán O’Reilly and Charlotte Moore in September 1988 to bring works by Irish and Irish American masters and contemporary playwrights to American audiences. The theater provides a window into the Irish American experience and encourages the development of new works.

Renowned for the unparalleled high quality of its performances, the Irish Repertory Theatre brings together exceptional acting, with one of Ireland’s leading theatre directors, Louise Lowe. We were impressed by the professionalism and quality of the entire performance (delivered in a lovely Irish dialect).

Unforgettable Performance

What made this performance unforgettable was Marie Mullen, (The Music Man, Broadway; The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Druid, for which she won a Tony Award) who was absolutely mesmerizing. She takes the audience on an emotional roller coaster ride, ranging from euphoria to desperation, in a riveting performance that leaves us wondering how this family will survive.

The Saviour deftly explores universally relatable topics—providing a soulful exploration of family dynamics, the need for acceptance complicated by aging parents with youthful delusions, and an additional element of religiosity. It was a powerful performance! This family drama unfolded in one act, over 90 minutes to a packed house, and received a standing ovation.

While The Saviour ended its run on August 13, the Irish Repertory Theatre is a hidden gem, precisely what live theater is meant to be, thought-provoking, exploring the human condition, sometimes challenging us to consider our lives, and always entertaining.

Keep it on your radar for an adult night out.

*****

Two Sues on the Aisle bases its ratings on how many challahs (1-5) it pays to buy (rather than make) to see the play, show, film, book, or exhibit being reviewed. 

The Irish Repertory Theatre  – received a five Challah rating