Total Rating: 
***1/2
Previews: 
May 23, 2006
Opened: 
June 1, 2006
Ended: 
July 16, 2006
Country: 
USA
State: 
New York
City: 
New York
Company/Producers: 
Irish Repertory Theater
Theater Type: 
off-Broadway
Theater: 
Irish Repertory
Theater Address: 
132 West 22nd Street
Running Time: 
2 hrs, 30 min
Genre: 
Drama
Author: 
John B. Keane
Director: 
Ciaran O'Reilly
Review: 

In John B. Keane's The Field, strongly directed by Ciaran O'Reilly at the Irish Rep, an elemental battle in rural Ireland in 1964 pits a brutal cattle farmer, who needs the field for grazing and access to water, against and another man who needs the field so he can put in a quarry business (so that his sick wife can return to Ireland). It's the irresistible force meeting the immovable object; neither can compromise. Action is centered in a pub, and the play is filled with the feel of the area and the intertwined lives of the inhabitants of this small village, as each of the mostly Irish cast totally inhabits his or her character.

This is a beautifully produced, powerful piece of theater, and although there are few surprises in the play, fine acting, set by Charles Corcoran, lighting by Jason Lyons, costumes by Martha Hally, all make for a memorable evening with a Celtic flavor.

Cast: 
Craig Baldwin, Orlagh Cassidy, Malachy Cleary, Paddy Croft, Karen Lynn Gorney, Brian Henderson, Ken Jennings, Laurence Lowry, Marty McGuire, Paul Nugent, John O'Creagh, Tim Ruddy.
Technical: 
Set: Charlie Corcoran; Costumes: Martha Hally; Light: Jason Lyons; Sound: Zachary Williamson.
Critic: 
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed: 
June 2006