In Ireland in 1993, the Northern Ireland peace process is taking its faltering first steps. Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) man Mad Padraic is pulling out the toenails of Belfast drug dealer James, when he hears that his beloved cat, Wee Thomas, is poorly. He heads back home to the island of Inishmore, where he learns that Wee Thomas is not sick but has been killed. Padraic, a man considered too mad for the Irish Republican Army and sorely trying the patience of his INLA comrades, is intent on revenge. He kills four people and two other cats before Wee Thomas is found alive and well; the first cat was mistaken for him.
Certain productions might choose to double Joey and James, or have them played by two different performers. There is no official suggestion from McDonagh in the script.
Production history
Original RSC/West End production
The Lieutenant of Inishmore was first produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2001. The production was directed by Wilson Milam.[3] In 2002, the production transferred to the Barbican, and then to the Garrick Theatre,[4] before touring the UK and eventually Ireland.[5]
Northlight Theatre in Skokie, Illinois, from 29 April 2009 to 7 June 2009, directed by B.J. Jones.[14] This production featured special effects and props designed by Steve Tolin, for which he won the 2009 Jeff Award for Outstanding Achievement in Special Effects.
Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles from 11 July – 8 August 2010.[2] The cast included Chris Pine as Padraic.
A Contemporary Theater, in Seattle, in October 2010. [citation needed]
the San Jose Stage Company, San Jose, California, from 26 September to 21 October 2018.[15]
South America
The Lieutenant of Inishmore was first produced in Lima, Peru at Teatro La Plaza ISIL, running from 24 April to 1 July 2008.
Australia
An Australian production ran from 30 September to 18 October 2008, at the Sue Benner Theatre, Metro Arts in Brisbane, Queensland. The New Theatre at Newtown in Sydney presented the play from 24 April 2018 to 26 May 2018.[16]
Ukraine
Adapted ukrainian version (under the name "Kytsyunya") ran in 2019 in Kyiv, presented by "Wild Theatre".[17]
Upon release, The Lieutenant of Inishmore was generally well-received among British press. The Guardian gave the play an average rating of 8 out of 10 based on reviews from multiple British newspapers. [19]
