If you like really sick humor, Martin McDonagh’s Irish play, “The Lieutenant of Inishmore’” is for your. It is so outrageous, one doesn’t know whether to laugh or run for the exit. The “hero” is considered such a mad man the IRA has booted him out of the ranks.
The premise of the play is humorous and revolves around a cat named “Wee Thomas. “Since the cat is the only thing that Padraic loves, it spells doom when the cat is found dead. Padraic is busy torturing a young pusher when he is informed that his cat is doing “poorly.” Poorly, indeed, as the cat is dead. Well, not to let the cat out the bag, Padraic’s obsession leads to torture, shootings and even graphic dismemberment.
Since this is an Irish play, the characters have a certain demented charm, even as they try to cope with a psycho. If there is a message, it’s probably that even a cat, in our crazy society, can lead to bloodshed. And there is plenty of blood as the bodies pile up.
The cast is an excellent one, led by Chris Pine as the scary protagonist. The toughest role is played by Brett Ryback who must do his acting while hanging upside down. Sean G. Griffin is excellent as the father, as is Coby Getzug as young Davy. Three men who are out to get Padraic, justifiably, are Andrew Connolly, Kevin Kearns and Ian Alda. The lone woman in the play is Zoe Perry, a charmer who likes to shoot at cows. The Irish accents may be a problem for some in the audience at the Mark Taper Forum, so front seats or ear sets are recommended.
There are so many difficult scenes in the drama that credit must go, not only to the director, Wilson Milam, but also to Laura Fine Hawkes for scenic design, Mathew W. Mungle for special prosthetic effects and Waldo Warshaw for special effects. Matt McKenzie provides delightful original music.
Because it’s Irish, the humor is wry.