by Sean Hillen

Rare is the theater review that focuses initially on stage design, an aspect often reserved as an aside to the quality of a play’s dialogue and plot and actors’ performances, but when the curtain rose on the Lyric Theater’s latest production in Belfast, eyes shot wide open and a few ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ echoed around the darkened hall.

The reason: a stunning set by Stuart Marshall for the dark comedy ‘The Ladykillers’ directed by executive producer, Jimmy Fay, and adapted by Graham Linehan from the 1955 film by William Rose.

Photo used with permission from Lyric Theatre

Encompassing three levels of a 1950s home, Marshall’s design is so detailed one feels oneself not sitting off-stage as an audience member but in the heart of the action, standing in one of the rooms listening to the lively conversations.

The comprehensive set includes a ground-floor sitting room complete with glass-paneled front door, a checkered black and white marble-like entrance hall, period table and wall lamps, hanging paintings, and even a hidden cubby hole near the stairs. Wooden bannisters and a carpeted stairwell lead up to a bathroom and a furnished bedroom. There is also a full view of the roof and a railway-crossing sign nearby referencing King’s Cross station, all integral props for the narrative. A loud steam train soundtrack adds a realistic aura as do period costumes by Erin Charteris.

Photo used with permission from Lyric Theatre

Such lavish and convincing design makes an evening at the theatre all the more delightful, providing an even fuller escape into that other world. This production ends this Saturday (July 8) so hurry along to admire it for yourself.

The play is an adaptation of the classic comedy movie produced by the London-based Ealing Studio and is often described as ‘noir,’ ‘black comedy,’ even ‘morbid,’ but, such are its nuances, ‘beguiling’ may be a better adjective. The plot is simple enough: five robbers intent on a local heist at the station act as classical musicians to fool a genteel old lady who rents them rooms in her ramshackle home. But complications ensue and moral decisions have to be made, with quite a few surprises in store, some involving spectacular roof-top action scenes at the highest point on the stage.

Photo used with permission from Lyric Theatre

Though dealing in grim subject matter such as robbery, greed and violence, humor is bountiful with lines such as a pet parrot being described as ‘a diseased washing-up glove’ and a ‘starving baby in a sock’ and a reference to poverty being not so much a disgrace as ‘a bit of a nuisance,’ as well as the old lady’s frequent ritual tea offerings being referred to as ‘a geriatric cuckoo clock.’ There is also what can best be described as a ‘musical mix-up.’

Diverse roles are played with panache. Abigail McGibbon, with craft and fast-talking guile as the bogus Professor Marcus, leads the gang and Stella McCusker is porcelain delicate yet quietly determined as the little old lady, Mrs. Wilberforce. Julie Maxwell lends Teddy Boy flamboyance to her pill-popping character, Harry, while Maria Connolly is the dapper hit-man, Louis, from Romania. With fine-timing, Jo Donnelly plays the effeminate, whiskered Major Courtney with notions of cross-dressing while Christina Nelson is a soft, rotund and ultimately lovable, One-Round. Nuala McKeever, fresh from her excellent one-woman production ‘In the Window,’ plays the constable who patiently listens to Mrs. Wilberforce’s tales of woe.

Photo used with permission from Lyric Theatre

With all the gang roles played by women dressed as men, the overall theme of pretense is emphasized even more. Keep in mind the view that ‘there’s a little bit of good in all of us.’ In great part, the plot hinges on this. Say no more.

Illustrating its wide range of activities, here are just a few of the upcoming events at the Lyric:

‘Let Me Count The Ways’ – a radical new music theater performance aimed at capturing a real snap shot of Northern Ireland today. Conceived and created by Dumbworld, the search is on for 100 people from a broad spectrum of communities, cultures, backgrounds and ages to participate.

‘Gulliver’s Travel’ – a musical adaptation from platinum-selling singer-songwriter Duke Special, comedian Andrew Doyle and the team behind the West End smash hit ‘Once the Musical.’ This show is produced by Youth Music Theatre.

New Playwrights Masterclass – The Lyric Theatre is hosting public workshops led by established writers, directors and dramaturgs, designed to support new playwrights as they develop their skills and their careers. The next free workshop, taking place in the Naughton Studio on Saturday, July 29, is led by Stewart Pringle. Stewart is a playwright, critic and the Associate Dramaturg at London’s Bush Theatre, working to identify and build relationships with new writers, commission new work and guide plays to the stage.