Review: THE WEIR Spins Spooky Tales at Main Street Theater

THE WEIR by Conor McPherson deservedly gets a revival at Main Street Theater to celebrate that time of year when we all pretend to be Irish. Who wouldn't want to spend an hour and a half in a traditional pub with old country codgers spinning out ghost stories? It's a winning proposition, and Main Street delivers all the goods from the actors and the technical department. It's well worth the visit to Rice Village to check it out and join in for a pint or two.

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This play debuted in London in 1997, and hit Broadway in the United States during a run in 1999. It's a simple piece that relies on an actor's ability to tell a story inside of a long monologue. We meet three men in a traditional Irish pub out in the countryside, and they gossip about one of their buddies who is going to bring a woman who just arrived in the area from Dublin. Once these two arrive the booze and stories start flowing freely, and three of the men relate supernatural tales that have a spooky side to them. They seem fantastic, but then the woman tells her own ghost story. It's real, it's far scarier, and it wrenches at everyone's heartstrings. It's the climax of the show, and the inspiration for one last story about a tragedy of a relationship that still haunts someone.

THE WEIR stars Mark Roberts, Bryan Kaplun, Kregg Dailey, and Rutherford Cravens as the four men. The part of Valerie is played by Heidi Hinkel. The cast all around is very solid, and each contributes to the spirit and ambiance of the work. If you're gonna have a blustery old man who spins out tall tales you call on Rutherford Cravens, and he certainly stands out as one of the most convincing characters of the night. I am always amazed at Bryan Kaplun. He seems to disappear wholly into any role he takes on, and this one is no exception. Kregg Dailey and Mark Roberts hold their own against these two. Heidi Hinkel is a little bit of a fish out of water as her accent waivers the most, but when she needs to create the climax of the show she does an admirable job. All in all this ensemble is the right one to create this world.

The set design by Liz Freese is an Irish miracle. The pub looks and feels authentic, and comes with a working tap that pours non-alcoholic beer for the actors. I've yet to see a more realistic looking locale. Janel J. Badrina does a admirable job with the sound design that gets as spooky as the tales when called for. For such a small house, I am always astounded at what Main Street Theater presents technically for their shows.

Overall THE WEIR is a very enjoyable production that illuminates the power of a good spoken story told over a tall glass. It can be a challenge to penetrate the Irish accents the actors are trying on, but it feels like you have actually spent an hour and a half in a pub by curtain. And here's a tip! If you attend any Friday production Main Street is serving free beer from Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company after the performance. Saturdays always have an after party as well. So skip the matinee if you want to join in for a pint and get ready to tell your best ghost story.

THE WEIR is at Main Street Theater in Rice Village until April 7th. Tickets can be reserved by calling their box office at (713) 524-6706 or through their website at www.MainStreetTheater.com

Photo provided by Pin Lim / Forest Photography