Mikel Murfi’s revival of the saga of the late Kitsy Rainey in “The Mysterious Case of Kitsy Rainey” at Everyman, Cork, is a testament to his seamless blend of comedy and heartfelt drama. This captivating case is the concluding act in a triptych of plays that first premiered around 2013. Regardless of the viewer’s familiarity with the preceding plays, “The Man in the Woman’s Shoes” and “I Hear You and Rejoice”, this piece serves as a standalone emotional revelation.
In this play, Pat Farnon, a shoemaker, grapples with life’s questions, buoyed by the potent narrative force of laughter. Having received counsel via his deceased wife Kitsy’s recorded opinions about the afterlife, he finds his peace with the inevitable losses that mortality brings.
Speech forms the nucleus around which the play and its performance revolve. While Farnon remains silent, there is a chorus of other characters and Murfi masterfully brings them all to life. From Kitsy’s humorous suggestion about Holy Mary sporting a wig to his emotive recollection of a local poacher coaxing salmon by crooning Salve Regina on the riverside, the internal monologue of Farnon guides the audience.
Kitsy gains depth as the play progresses – whether through the grainy recorded interludes or her cynicism towards God’s seeming inattentiveness. She leaves a haunting puzzle for Farnon, disrupting his tranquil appreciation of her existence. The remnants of her suitcase suggest secrets from her past that often bring Farnon to question why kept he was kept in the dark. Yet, Kitsy’s eccentricities, like mince pies hidden in the tumble dryer and her quip about Jesus’s swimming abilities, offer a counterbalance to the pathos.
The spectacle, astoundingly orchestrated by Murfi, is a whirlwind of laughter and surprise, where everything crumbles into place without conflict. Murfi, with his impressive display of physical prowess and remarkable vocal talent, immerses himself into the character of Pat Farnon, a frail elderly man. He perfectly portrays the man’s miniscule life in a miniscule town, his tentative hands reaching out for non-existent objects like a kettle or a glass of milk. Yet, despite his petite existence, he approaches his final days with courage, reflective of the wealthy vocabulary of this play.
Guided by a skillful team including Murfi and Eithne Hand, this Loco & Reckless production furthers its depth without descending into gloominess. The directorial precision is evident in scenes such as the unveiling of a ventriloquist’s doll or an uphill journey shared with a companion, a promise of male companionship, and an embrace. The audience is treated to a love story sprinkled with humour, worthy of an ovation in an otherwise ovation-saturated city.
The intriguing saga of Kitsy Rainey concludes at the Everyman in Cork on Friday, April 19th. Subsequently, it will be staged at a series of venues including Wexford Arts Centre, George Bernard Shaw Theatre, Carlow, Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, culminating at Kenmare Butter Market, Co Kerry, on Wednesday, May 29th.