The Ferryman (play)
The Ferryman is a 2017 play by Jez Butterworth. Set during The Troubles, it tells the story of the family of a former IRA activist, living in their farmhouse in rural County Armagh, Northern Ireland in 1981.[1]
| The Ferryman | |
|---|---|
 Official production artwork | |
| Written by | Jez Butterworth |
| Date premiered | 24 April 2017 |
| Place premiered | Royal Court Theatre |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Drama |
| Setting | Rural County Armagh, 1981 |
Productions
The Ferryman had its world premiere at the Royal Court Theatre on 24 April 2017 running to 20 May, directed by Sam Mendes.[2] It was the fastest-selling play in Royal Court Theatre history.[3] The cast included Paddy Considine, Laura Donnelly (the disappearance of her real-life uncle, Eugene Simons, was the inspiration for Butterworth's plot),[4] Genevieve O'Reilly, Bríd Brennan, Fra Fee, John Hodgkinson, Stuart Graham, Gerard Horan, Carla Langley, Des McAleer, Conor MacNeill, Rob Malone, Dearbhla Molloy, Eugene O'Hare and Niall Wright.[5]
The production transferred to the Gielgud Theatre, opening on 29 June 2017, following previews from 20 June.[3] After a first cast change on 9 October 2017 with William Houston (Quinn Carney), Sarah Greene (Caitlin Carney), Ivan Kaye (Tom Kettle) and others joining the company,[6] a second cast change took place on 8 January 2018, featuring Rosalie Craig, Owen McDonnell (as Quinn Carney), Laurie Kynaston (as Oisin Carney) and Justin Edwards.[7] The production closed on 19 May 2018.
The production transferred to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Broadway, beginning previews on 2 October 2018. The play, which went on to win four Tony Awards, closed on 7 July 2019.[8][9]
Cast and characters
| Role | Royal Court / 1st Gielgud Cast | 2nd Gielgud Cast | Original Broadway Cast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aunt Maggie Far Away | Brid Brennan | Maureen Beattie | Fionnula Flanagan |
| Lawrence Malone | Turlough Convery | Glenn Speers | |
| Michael Carney | Fra Fee | ||
| Muldoon | Stuart Graham | ||
| Tom Kettle | John Hodgkinson | Ivan Kaye | Justin Edwards |
| Shena Carney | Carla Langley | ||
| Diarmaid Corcoran | Conor MacNeill | ||
| Aunt Pat | Dearbhla Molloy | ||
| Mary Carney | Genevieve O'Reilly | Catherine McCormack | Genevieve O'Reilly |
| Quinn Carney | Paddy Considine | William Houston | Paddy Considine |
| Caitlin Carney | Laura Donnelly | Sarah Greene | Laura Donnelly |
| Shane Corcoran | Tom Glynn-Carney | Laurie Davidson | Tom Glynn-Carney |
| Father Horrigan | Gerard Horan | Charles Dale | |
| Uncle Pat | Des McAleer | Mark Lambert | |
| Oisin Carney | Rob Malone | ||
| Frank Magennis | Eugene O'Hare | Fergal McElherron | Dean Ashton |
| JJ Carney | Niall Wright | ||
| Mercy Carney | Elise Alexandre Darcey Conway Darcy Jacobs Scarlett Nunes |
Willow McCarthy | |
| Honor Carney | Sophia Ally Grace Doherty |
Matilda Zazie Lucy Warburton |
Matilda Lawler |
| Nunu Carney | Clara Murphy Angel O'Callaghan |
Brooklyn Shuck | |
| Declan Corcoran | Michael McCarthy Xavier Moras Spencer Jack Nuttall |
Alex Warburton Jack Nuttall Tom Harrison |
Michael Quinton McArthur |
Awards and nominations
London production
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Evening Standard Theatre Awards[10] | Best Play | Jez Butterworth | Won |
| Best Director | Sam Mendes | Won | ||
| Best Actress | Laura Donnelly | Nominated | ||
| Emerging Talent Award | Tom Glynn-Carney | Won | ||
| 2018 | WhatsOnStage Awards[11] | Best New Play | Won | |
| Best Supporting Actor in a Play | Fra Fee | Won | ||
| Best Director | Sam Mendes | Won | ||
| Laurence Olivier Awards[12] | Best New Play | Won | ||
| Best Actor | Paddy Considine | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress | Laura Donnelly | Won | ||
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role | John Hodgkinson | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Bríd Brennan | Nominated | ||
| Dearbhla Molloy | Nominated | |||
| Best Director | Sam Mendes | Won | ||
| Best Set Design | Rob Howell | Nominated | ||
Broadway production
References
- Billington, Michael. "The Ferryman review – Butterworth and Mendes deliver shattering tale of passion and violence". The Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- Hewis, Ben (31 October 2017). "Sam Mendes to direct Jez Butterworth play in new Royal Court season". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
- "Jez Butterworth's The Ferryman transfers to The Gielgud Theatre". londontheatre.co.uk. London Theatre. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
- Dex, Robert (4 May 2017). "How The Ferryman was inspired by true life story from one of the cast". Evening Standard. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- "Cast and West End transfer confirmed for Sam Mendes' The Ferryman". WhatsOnStage.com. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
- "New cast announced for The Ferryman". Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- "Casting Update for The Ferryman - Royal Court". Royal Court. 28 November 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- "Tickets Released for Broadway Transfer of Jez Butterworth's The Ferryman - Royal Court". Royal Court. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- Clement, Olivia. "Tony-Winning 'The Ferryman' Ends on Broadway July 7" Playbill, July 7, 2019
- Hemley, Matthew. " 'The Ferryman' triumphs at the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards" The Stage, 3 December 2017
- "Winners of the 18th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards announced: David Tennant and Olivia Colman win". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- "Olivier Awards 2018: the nominations in full". The Stage. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- Fierberg, Ruthie. " 'Tootsie', 'Hadestown', and 'The Ferryman' Lead 2019 Drama Desk Award Winners" Playbill, June 2, 2019
- Lefkowitz, Andy (17 April 2019). "Nominations Announced for 85th Annual Drama League Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- Lefkowitz, Andy (23 April 2019). "Hadestown, Tootsie & Oklahoma! Lead 2019 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations". Broadway.com. Retrieved 23 April 2019.