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]
| 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 |
Production History
editLondon (2017)
editThe 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]
West End (2017–2018)
editThe 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.
Broadway (2018–2019)
editThe 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, closed on 7 July 2019.[8][9]
Cast and characters
edit| 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 | 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 | |
Notable cast replacements
editWest End (2017–2018)
edit- Aunt Maggie Far Away: Maureen Beattie
- Tom Kettle: Ivan Kaye, Justin Edwards
- Mary Carney: Catherine McCormack
- Quinn Carney: William Houston, Owen McDonnell
- Caitlin Carney: Sarah Greene, Rosalie Craig
- Shane Corcoran: Laurie Davidson
- Oisin Carney: Laurie Kynaston
- Michael Carney: Sean Delaney
- Shena Carney: Saoirse-Monica Jackson
- Quinn Carney: Brian d'Arcy James
- Caitlin Carney: Holley Fain
- Mary Carney: Emily Bergl
- Uncle Pat: Fred Applegate
- Muldoon: Ralph Brown
- Michael Carney: Sean Delaney
- Tom Kettle: Shuler Hensley
Awards and nominations
editOriginal London production
edit| 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 | ||
Original Broadway production
editReferences
edit- ^ Billington, Michael (3 May 2017). "The Ferryman review – Butterworth and Mendes deliver shattering tale of passion and violence". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- ^ Hewis, Ben (31 October 2017). "Sam Mendes to direct Jez Butterworth play in new Royal Court season". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
- ^ a b "Jez Butterworth's The Ferryman transfers to The Gielgud Theatre". londontheatre.co.uk. London Theatre. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
- ^ Dex, Robert (4 May 2017). "How The Ferryman was inspired by true life story from one of the cast". Evening Standard. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- ^ "Cast and West End transfer confirmed for Sam Mendes' The Ferryman". WhatsOnStage.com. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
- ^ "New cast announced for The Ferryman". Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ "Casting Update for The Ferryman - Royal Court". Royal Court. 28 November 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- ^ "Tickets Released for Broadway Transfer of Jez Butterworth's The Ferryman - Royal Court". Royal Court. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- ^ Clement, Olivia. "Tony-Winning 'The Ferryman' Ends on Broadway July 7" Playbill, July 7, 2019
- ^ "New Cast Announced for THE FERRYMAN on Broadway | Shubert Organization". shubert.nyc. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- ^ Dex, Robert (17 November 2017). "Here's the shortlist for the 2017 Evening Standard Theatre Awards". www.standard.co.uk. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ Thompson, Jessie (4 December 2017). "These are the winners of the 2017 Evening Standard Theatre Awards". www.standard.co.uk. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ "2017 Results | Critics' Circle Theatre Awards". 31 January 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ "Olivier Awards 2018: Winners in full". BBC News. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ "Winners of the 18th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards announced: David Tennant and Olivia Colman win". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- ^ "Hadestown, Ain't Too Proud & Tootsie Lead 2019 Tony Award Nominations".
- ^ Fierberg, Ruthie. " 'Tootsie', 'Hadestown', and 'The Ferryman' Lead 2019 Drama Desk Award Winners" Playbill, June 2, 2019
- ^ Lefkowitz, Andy (17 April 2019). "Nominations Announced for 85th Annual Drama League Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (17 May 2019). "'Hadestown', 'The Ferryman', Bryan Cranston Top Drama League Awards". Deadline. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ "Past Awards". www.dramacritics.org. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ "Hadestown Leads Winners of 2019 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ McPhee, Ryan (2 May 2019). "Jeremy Pope, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Bonnie Milligan, More Earn 2019 Theatre World Awards". Playbill. Retrieved 31 March 2021.