SceneChanges.com, January 2005
Previews: A Whistle in the Dark
It's been said that no other Irish playwright has explored the complexities, contradictions and confusions of human behavior as profoundly as Tom Murphy. One of Ireland's most prolific playwrights, Murphy's 1961 drama A Whistle in the Dark, has been produced regularly at Dublin's Abbey Theatre since its premiere at the Royal Theatre, Stratford East. A Whistle in the Dark concerns the lives of a family living in Coventry in the 1960's. The eldest son, Michael Carney, has tried to escape the influence of his brothers and father; combative, squabblling, downright thugs more eager to fight their way through any obstacle than find ways around it. Three of the clan are already in partial residence in his home. They have intimidated Michael's young English wife, Betty, and have begun to test his tolerance and patience. In the course of two days things come to a head and Michael is forced to face his fears about himself and his family, and in reality the Irish race on the whole. Ireland's Jason Byrne directs an all star Canadian cast featuring Joseph Ziegler, Jonathan Goad, Allan Hawco, Philip Riccio, Oliver Becker, Sarah Dodd, David Jansen and Aaron Poole. A Whistle in the Dark produced by the new Company Theatre plays from Jan. 15 to Feb. 5 (Previews Jan. 13-14) at the Berkeley St. Theatre (Upstairs), 26 Berkeley St. 416-368-3110.