The Weir – Something Wonderful This Way Comes

One of the advantages of a revival is the opportunity for a new cast to interpret and perform a popular work. It can also be a challenge.

Here, the Irish Repertory Theater meets and bests the challenge wonderfully with its revival of Conor McPherson’s "The Weir," smartly directed by Ciarán O’Reilly.

The ensemble delivers powerful performances of a play that might be approaching classic status. (It is the fourth revival by the company.) Everything about this production – staging, script, and performances – is outstanding.

The superb cast of "The Weir" includes Dan Butler (Jack), a local mechanic and businessman; Johnny Hopkins (Brendan), a pub owner and bartender; John Keating (Jim), a local handyman; Sean Gormley (Finbar), a successful businessman who left the community years ago “to seek his fortune” but returns to enjoy his success; and Sarah Street (Valerie), a blow-in from Dublin who is renting a local home. Each has a story to tell and does so brilliantly.

Sarah Street, John Keating, Dan Butler, Johnny Hopkins, and Sean Gormley in the Irish Rep's 2025 production of "The Weir." (Carol Rosegg)

Set in a rural pub in 1998, the story presents Ireland in transition. Four old friends share drinks and remembrances while a newcomer absorbs the local color. There is strong Irish storytelling, but change is coming, as signaled by the constant sound of wind outside the pub.

Their stories recall an older Ireland – haunted homes, fairey roads, burials in churchyards, and priests who could remedy mysteries with blessings. Excuses and easy explanations are made for their belief in these stories. They reason: “She was an alcoholic,” “They were headbangers,” and “I was hungover” to explain the unexplainable.

Like McPherson’s use of the wind, one tale features mysterious knocking – a symbol that a spirit is present. Literary symbols like these are sprinkled, like fairey dust, throughout the entertaining production.

McPherson’s script crackles with smart dialogue. “He could peel a banana in his pocket”—another way of saying a person is frugal. “And, like he was fifty-odd and still only a sergeant, so, like, he was no Sherlock Holmes”—questioning a garda’s intelligence.

Sarah Street, Dan Butler, and Johnny Hopkins in Irish Rep's 2025 production of "The Weir." (Carol Rosegg)

He also captures the easy cadence of pub patter. Lifelong friends, they slag each other unmercifully but without malice. “They had a blanket around her, and she was as white, now, as... (Points to Jack's shirt.) as white as that. Well, whiter, because that's probably filthy.” And if offense is taken, an apology is quickly offered.

There is raucous dialogue until a character takes the stage to tell a tale and hold forth brilliantly. Jack cautions Valerie that the house she is renting may be haunted. Jim tells of two days digging graves. Finbar recalls how he was called to aid a neighbor and had no idea why or what to do. In all these stories, a priest is involved and resolves any mystery with a blessing.

The play’s title – "The Weir" – refers to the dam-like structure constructed in 1932 in the River Shannon to produce electricity. “The weir, the river, the weir, em, is to regulate the water for generating power for the area and for Carrick as well.” At the time, Ireland was largely an agrarian economy. Its construction signaled the shift from a rural Ireland to one with an urban population and industry that required dependable electricity. Rivers also symbolize change, transformation, and growth – all of which happen over the course of the play.

John Keating, Dan Butler, and Sean Gormley in Irish Rep's 2025 production of "The Weir." (Carol Rosegg)

The play captures rural Ireland at the time before the Celtic Tiger pounced. When the prospect of selling off unused land arises, the owner reasons, “The sisters want to sell land so their husbands can buy new cars.” The pals’ stories are shrouded in mystery, only to be shattered with a stark reminder of the fragility of life as told by the blow-in, Valerie. Their mysteries are sidelined by the heart-breaking tragedy that brought Valerie to the pub. To a man, the friends rally to offer support and comfort. Valerie happily joins this community that still believes the unbelievable, because she too has no explanation for her experience. She is comforted by their support.

"The Weir" features set design by Charlie Corcoran, lighting design by Michael Gottlieb, sound design by Drew Levy, and properties by Deirdre Brennan.

"The Weir" is at the Irish Repertory Theater (132 West 22nd Street) through August 31, 2025.