Sir, - It seems from Ms Dervilla Cooke's letter (October 30th) that she feels uncomfortable with Martin McDonagh's portrayal of the "bogman stereotype" in the Leenane Trilogy. I was fortunate to attend all three plays on October 18th and would not have missed them for anything. Yes, at times I felt uncomfortable at the darkness portrayed, but I marvelled at how the playwright had captured everyday idiosyncrasies and developed them to the point of celebration, particularly in the character of Vally in The Lonesome West.
Let's face it, who can say that they do not know of a house in Ireland which has a drawer or cupboard full of plastic bags? Yet through the play Martin McDonagh shows us how bizarre this can be. The character of Vally's brother Colman also made me squirm, because I meet variations on this man almost every day, but far from seeking to turn a blind eye and ridicule the superficiality of mobile phones etc. (things which have no place in Irish culture past or present), why not value that which makes us different, the way we speak and, indeed, the way we are.
The trilogy got a standing ovation the day I attended. Almost everyone, including the cast, recognise that we were experiencing a wonderful new voice in Irish theatre. Let it flow, Martin! - Yours, etc., Marie McCluskey,
St Columbanus Road, Dublin 14.