AFTER the decidedly ropey American accents in Glengarry Glen Ross, The Nonentities went from the ridiculous to the sublime in their latest production.
But there is far more to recommend The Beauty Queen of Leenane than just the convincing Irish inflections employed by the top notch cast in a play which stands head and shoulders above any of the other productions I have seen by the usually solid amateur group.
A gripping, well written and believable script by highly-rated Irish scribe Martin McDonagh help the cause, of course, but it is the outstanding performances by Liz Cole and Julie Innes in the lead roles which really bring this work to life.
Their tense mother/daughter relationship, fuelled by hatred, resentment and bitterness, boils over into some genuinely harrowing scenes of violence which are given even more impact by the intimate setting of The Rose's studio.
And a genuine sense of place shines through as the audience are transported to the rural west coast of Ireland, where Mag and Maureen Folan's life revolves around chickens, porridge and Complan (which I have since learnt provides complete nutrition for the elderly when they are off their food).
Tim Williams gives his customarily enthusiastic performance as Maureen's would-be suitor Pato Dooley while a special mention should be reserved for James Stevens as his irritable brother, Ray.
Full houses are expected until the play ends on Saturday.
AMD
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