| 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 |
The Ferryman is a 2017 play by Jez Butterworth. Set during the Troubles, it tells the story of the family of a former IRA volunteer, living in their farmhouse in rural County Armagh, Northern Ireland in 1981. [1]
 | This section is missing information about description.(February 2025) |
The play is set in a farmhouse in County Armagh, Northern Ireland in 1981. [1] It is harvest day in 1981 and a multi-generational Irish Catholic farming family consisting of Quinn, Mary, and their seven children share their rural home with Uncle Pat, Aunt Mary, Aunt Pat, Quinn's sister-in-law Caitlin, and her son Oisin. Caitlin's husband 'disappeared' in 1971 and his remains have been uncovered at a politically sensitive time for the Republican Movement.
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 (as Caitlin Carney), Owen McDonnell (as Quinn Carney), Laurie Kynaston (as Oisin Carney), Saoirse-Monica Jackson (as Shena Carney) Sean Delaney (as Michael Carney), Kevin Creedon (as JJ Carney), Francis Mezza (as Shane Corcoran), Terence Keeley (as Diarmaid Corcoran), 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 with many members of the London cast. The play, which went on to win four Tony Awards, including Best Play, closed on 7 July 2019. [8] [9]
| Role | Royal Court | West End | Broadway |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2018 | ||
| Aunt Maggie Far Away | Brid Brennan | Fionnula Flanagan | |
| Lawrence Malone | Turlough Convery | Glenn Speers | |
| Michael Carney | Fra Fee | ||
| Muldoon | Stuart Graham | ||
| Tom Kettle | John Hodgkinson | Justin Edwards | |
| Shena Carney | Carla Langley | ||
| Diarmaid Corcoran | Conor MacNeill | ||
| Aunt Pat | Dearbhla Molloy | ||
| Mary Carney | Genevieve O'Reilly | ||
| Quinn Carney | Paddy Considine | ||
| Caitlin Carney | Laura Donnelly | ||
| Shane Corcoran | Tom Glynn-Carney | ||
| Father Horrigan | Gerard Horan | Charles Dale | |
| Uncle Pat | Des McAleer | Mark Lambert | |
| Oisin Carney | Rob Malone | ||
| Frank Magennis | Eugene O'Hare | Dean Ashton | |
| JJ Carney | Niall Wright | ||
| Mercy Carney | Elise Alexandre Darcey Conway Darcy Jacobs Scarlett Nunes Scarlett Jolly | Willow McCarthy | |
| Honor Carney | Sophia Ally Grace Doherty | Matilda Lawler | |
| Nunu Carney | Clara Murphy Angel O'Callaghan Isla Griffiths | Brooklyn Shuck | |
| Declan Corcoran | Michael McCarthy Xavier Moras Spencer Jack Nuttall | Michael Quinton McArthur | |
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Evening Standard Theatre Award [11] [12] | Best Play | Jez Butterworth | Won |
| Best Actress | Laura Donnelly | Nominated | ||
| Best Director | Sam Mendes | Won | ||
| Emerging Talent | Tom Glynn-Carney | Won | ||
| Critics’ Circle Theatre Award [13] | Best New Play | Jez Butterworth | Won | |
| 2018 | Laurence Olivier Award [14] | 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 | ||
| WhatsOnStage Award [15] | Best New Play | Won | ||
| Best Supporting Actor in a Play | Fra Fee | Won | ||
| Best Director | Sam Mendes | Won | ||