David Sterritt as "Cripple" Billy. (Photos by Becky Pierce.)
Joshua Rippy (left) as Bartley, Megan Dobbertin as Helen, Lorelei Sturm as Eileen and Sara Hymes as Kate.
By Sue Suchyta
Wayne State University’s graduate Hilberry Theatre Company presents Martin McDonagh’s dark Irish comedy, “The Cripple of Inishmaan” now through Feb. 4 in rotating repertory.
SETTING THE SCENE
Set in a small, poor island community off the western coast of Ireland in 1934, the locals are excited to hear that a famous filmmaker will soon arrive in Inishmaan to make a documentary about their lives. “Cripple” Billy Claven sees auditioning for the movie as a respite from the poverty, gossip and boredom of his life.
FACING LIMITS, CHANGE
And while Billy is cast in the movie and is able to escape his limited life for a short time, he eventually returns to the only people and place he’s ever know, perhaps more determined to rise above the limits imposed on him by others and fate.
RICH IN CHARACTERS
The show features rich characterizations against a stark existence. It is, however, about people stuck in a poor small town with few options who respond in different ways: they worry, gossip, drink to excess, or live recklessly.
The actors do a wonderful job bringing their roles to life. However, it is not a light-hearted hearted show, and while it is well-acted, it remains a dark comedy.
“CRIPPLE” BILLY
Billy – who is often called Cripple Billy by the unthinking town folk – is emotionally haunted by the possibility that his parents’ death when he was little might have been a deliberate suicide. David Sterritt does a superb job of capturing both the psychological and physical elements of the character.
SISTER ACT
Lorelei Sturm and Sara Hymes are engaging and sympathetic as the elderly sisters who raised Billy and who are probably the sanest of the lot, even though one “talks to stones.”
FRUSTRATION AND CHANGE
Alec Barbour embodies the frustration of the village doctor who despairs of changing the debilitating health habits of the villagers.
Megan Dobbertin captures the rebellious impatience of Helen, a young woman chafing at the boredom and limits of her life who acts out impulsively and in anger.
THE OTHERS
The others in the strong cast include Brent Griffith as Johnnypateenmike, a relentless gossip; Joshua Rippy as Bartley, Helen’s simple-minded brother; Christopher Ellis as Babbybobby, a widowed boatman; and Danielle Cochran as Mammy O’Dougal, an alcoholic.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Hilberry Theatre is located at 4743 Cass at Hancock in Detroit. For more information, call (313) 577-2972 or go to www.hilberry.com.
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