The Matchmaker

‘The Matchmaker,’ written by John B. Keane and directed by Michael McCall, is being presented by Perth Theatre Company, DownStairs at the Maj from Thursday 12^th March to Saturday 4^th April. Shows at 7.30 pm.

            We are inside the O’Connor’s croit-dubh (a croft with a grass roof) in Southern Ireland, and the narrator (Patrick Abbott) explains how, after his success in finding a local farmer a wife, Dicky Mick Dicky (Ingle Knight) has become the local matchmaker. We join Dicky as he is writing a letter to his wife’s (Nicola Bartlett) sister in Philadelphia, giving her the news. He assists a huge variety of people from the desperately poor and miserably lonely, to the plum-in-the-mouth lord of the manor. Dicky Mick Dicky will do nearly anything in his power to meet their strange, and often sexually frustrated, demands.

Do not expect a sweet, ‘Hello Dolly’ type matchmaker. This hilarious, brash humour, gives us a kind of Irish ‘Under Milkwood’ performed by only two actors. John B. Keane is still amongst Ireland's most popular playwrights. He was a strongly political figure and, by and large, his plays are filled with social conflict and personal struggle.  In contrast, ‘The Matchmaker’ is a brazen comedy and was one of Keane’s last plays, being produced in 2002, just before his death of prostate cancer. 

In this 2-hour play, the two award-winning actors have several VERY different characters each to play, covering all ages, heights, sizes, sexual drive and personalities. Under a strong director (Mike McCall) and what is obviously a close team, the characters are well defined and interesting. There are costume and personality changes almost every two or three minutes throughout the play, however with Steve Nolan’s design (a magnificent set) and Sue Kerr and Steve’s wardrobe, complimented by Lucy Birkinshaw’s superb lighting, it was easy for the ‘locals’ to be recognised instantly. The speed of the costume changes was amazing, and in no way hindered the brisk flow of the tale. Inevitably, after dozens of personae changes, an actor smiled and said ‘Now, who am I?’ The audience gave a massive cheer in admiration that the couple had gone so far without confusion.
Previously I have only seen Ingle perform simple parts, or retell his interesting travel experiences, here the demands on both he and Nicola’s acting skills were massive. Their Irish brogue was most acceptable. Very impressed with the acting and character depiction.

Roly Skender’s sound design was extremely effective and, along with the lighting, sensitively operated by Anna Dymitr Hawkes.

I expect the local sales of potcheen and white pepper to rise steeply in Perth. An extremely clever and hilariously funny show.