The Drogheda-based Upstate Live company has come up with a good one in Elizabeth Kuti's new adaptation of Paul Smith's 1961 novel The Countrywoman. The book's fame is derived from the authenticity of its portrayal of the Dublin slums of the 1920s. Molly, a young Wicklow woman, marries wastrel Pat Baines, and suffers for it all her life. She has his children and takes his drunken beatings with an inner strength that never falters, but cannot win against the odds. Ms Kuti has fashioned a most skilful conversion, a tragedy of place and time that seizes both mind and emotions.
Declan Gorman's direction elicits two performances of real strength from Patricia Kennedy and Brendan Laird in the leads, and supports them with an apparent host of cameos from eight other actors, all splendidly persuasive. He also adds numerous felicitous touches which seal the production's merits as a night of theatre. It deserved and received an enthusiastic reception.
Runs until Saturday at 8 p.m., to book phone 041-33946; then tours to the Civic Theatre, Tallaght, from Tuesday until October 14th, as part of Dublin Fringe Festival
