Review: Wife to James Whelan, Jermyn Street Theatre

It is another sunny day in Kilbeggan, or ‘the South of France’ as it is jokingly called, and the atmosphere is thick with anticipation, awaiting the announcement of who has landed a lucrative job in Dublin. Of course, everyone expects it to be James Whelan (Fiach Kunz) and they’re not wrong. The news is greeted with mixed feelings: jealousy from the other young men who went for the interview; pride from James himself; happiness from his friends. Girlfriend Nan (Cliona Flynn) is none too pleased though. Why should she be left behind? Jump forward seven years and we see the consequences of the various characters’ past choices and ongoing actions. We are never sure just who the titular ‘Wife’ is going to be until the very end.

The eight-strong cast work well together, capturing the shifting relationships and tensions that arise between people who have known each other for years. Patrick McBrearty reveals the hidden depths of Tom beneath his self-deprecating humour, Kunz strides on to the stage, depicting the brash self-confidence of a young James, and David Rawle as Apollo has a gift for comedy thanks to his expressive reactions and impeccable timing.  

It is refreshing to see that the director, Jonathan Bank, is not afraid of silences, though the brooding pauses do start to feel a little predictable after a while. The best use is in the First Act; a wonderfully awkward moment in which each character waits for someone else to move or speak, with gormless Jack McKinsey (Benjamin Reilly) in the middle, totally oblivious, having caused it in the first place. There is also a noticeable amount of standing or striding with hands on hips: not an inherently bad stance, but used so often that it eventually becomes a distraction.  

In the opening scene, the small Jermyn Street Theatre stage helps conjure a claustrophobic sense of a town that you’re desperate to escape, and then proves ideal as the office setting in later ones. This is all aided by unobtrusive lighting, Neil Irish’s thoughtful set design and with Anett Black’s costumes evoking the feeling of the 1930s setting.  

Mint Theater Company is dedicated to the rediscovery of lost or neglected works, including those by Irish playwright Teresa Deevy. Deevy lost her hearing in her 20s yet went on to write numerous plays for both theatre and radio. If this production is anything to go by, she had a gift for capturing the emotions, impulses and unexpected decisions of ordinary people in everyday situations, showing how stubbornness and pride can shape lives.    

Wife to James Whelan is a thoughtful revival that offers a glimpse into small town lives shaped by pride, ambition and missed chances, and a reminder of why Deevy’s work deserves to be seen.

Written by Teresa Deevy
Directed by Jonathan Bank
Co Produced by Jermyn Street Theatre/Mint Theater
Set Design by Neil Irish
Costume Design by Anett Black
Lighting Design by Chris McDonnell
Composed and Sound Design by Jane Shaw

Wife to James Whelan runs at Jermyn Street Theatre until Saturday 25 July.