South Coast Repertory's 'The Weir' Both Spellbinds and Enchants

South Coast Repertory's superb revival of "The Weir" is a frothy concoction of both ghost stories and unexpectedly tender tales, each as engaging as they are chilling. And as is true of any eerie yarn contains an unexpected twist that sneaks up on you without warning, a twist leaving a haunting memory in place of the spooky tales preceding it.

Such is the stuff of which Conor McPherson's wonderful award-winning play is made, all of it taking place on one forlorn night in a small-town pub in the Irish countryside. 

On this particularly moody night, when the wind is lashing at the shutters and whistling at a darkened window, a few local characters meander their way into this colorful pub to warm up over a pint and perhaps even share a joke or some lively conversation with a familiar face.  As each of the play's colorful characters enter the stage, we discover that there's a very thin line between what can be seen and that which can never really fully be comprehended.

The audience is first introduced to the charming, cantankerous Jack, played with delicious theatrical flair by SCR stage veteran Richard Doyle.  Later we also meet the strong but silent bartender Brendan, portrayed by Tony Ward in lovely understated performance.  We also are introduced to a few more colorful characters such as Jim, played by Daniel Reichert, who does an inspirational job of mining comedic moments as well as eloquently sharing just the right amount of quiet desperation. 

However, "The Weir" really picks up emotional steam when we are finally introduced to the subject of much conjecture and conversation, the confident Finbar, played with bold theatrical timing and nuance by Irish native James Lancaster.  Lancaster's work is assured yet nuanced, expertly sharing just so many layers at a time.  His performance in "The Weir" seems as if it were written for him.  A terrific casting choice by Ms. DeNaut, as Lancaster's work as Finbar is truly inspired.

And then there is the introduction of the lovely but mysterious Valerie, played by Kirsten Potter with a lovely, haunting intensity which does manage to pretty much steal the show.  However, I suppose you have to thank playwright McPherson for that one.  He's penned quite a tale in "The Weir," and Potter is more than up to the task.  She has some of the most moving monologues of the night, and she rises to the occasion by employing a refreshing economy in her work, all the more powerful once we come to understand the secret she's been holding inside.  Potter's work will linger in your memory long after leaving the theater.

There is not a false note among any of the cast and once again SCR demonstrates just how elegant true ensemble work can be.

"The Weir" illustrates our universal need to share and reveal ourselves, even in our most uncomfortable stories, among our fellow friends.  It is easy to understand why it won the Lawrence Olivier BBC Award as the Best New Play of 1997–98 given how beautifully the writing stands up to the test of time.

McPherson masterfully illustrates the creative ways we may assign mysterious forces to the events which haunt us long after they are over.  However, these same tales, when exposed to the cold light of day, often appear more bleak and ordinary than when told fireside, when the wind is upon us and there's still time for one more "short one."  

The play, expertly directed by Warner Shook, also benefits from Thomas Buderwitz's terrific set. The pub's design is both appropriately loveworn, charming and bleak, creating a space that well-suited for locals to feel comfortable letting down their guard, relaxing the way the Irish do:  Sharing stories with each other. Sometimes for sport, sometimes for fun and sometimes to just get the ghosts out.

The lovely set design also assists the already superbly talented cast bring to light an essential truth about places like these pubs, that it is often in just such common places where we can finally relax and discover some uncomfortable truths. 

"The Weir" is a brilliant work illustrating human lessons to be sure, but in the case of  this play, truths only gleaned after sharing a frothy pint and a chilly ghost story or two.

Running time 1 hour, 50 minutes (no intermission)  

• “The Weir,” South Coast Repertory,
• 655 Town Center Drive,
• Costa Mesa, Ca.
• Tuesdays-Fridays, 7:45 p.m.
• Saturdays-Sundays.  2 and 7:45 p.m. 
• Thru April 3, 2011.
• (714) 708-5555 or www.scr.org