Luck of the Irish? Director, actors rely on skill, smarts in ‘Inishmaan’

Crew succeeds in unique comedy

By Mary Colurso
Birmingham News staff writer
May 21, 2007

“The Cripple of Inishmaan”
Presented by City Equity Theatre
Through June 3
Alabama School of Fine Arts
4 out of 5 stars

Two distinct types of comedy run through “The Cripple of Inishmaan,” a 1997 play by Martin McDonagh, performed here by City Equity Theatre.

First we have the traditional twinkle of a folk tale set in the Aran Islands, off the coast of Ireland.

But don’t go expecting leprechauns or a hidden pot of gold.  There’s a streak of gallows humor underlying McDonagh’s plot, darkening the storyline and rendering any joy bittersweet.