TOM TITUS -- Theater Review

Brothers have been crossing swords, figuratively and literally, ever

since Abel and Cain. Leave it to the Irish, however, to put a new spin on

the world’s oldest dramatic scenario.

In Martin McDonagh’s vitriolic comedy “The Lonesome West,” now

enjoying its West Coast premiere on South Coast Repertory’s Second Stage,

the brothers in question would make Sam Shepard’s siblings in “True West”

seem angelic by comparison. McDonagh created a similar mother-daughter

relationship in “The Beauty Queen of Leenane,” also staged at SCR.

That play and “Lonesome West” are two segments of the playwright’s

trilogy. Indeed, the farmhouse setting appears almost identical to that

of “Beauty Queen.” There’s little of material value there -- and it’s all

owned by Valene, who takes great delight in withholding something as

insignificant as a bag of potato chips from his brother Coleman.

Under the skilled directorial hand of Martin Benson, the Connor

brothers engage in vicious comedy, resembling a pair of 6-year-olds in

their petty squabbling and fervent acts of one-upmanship. They’re the

oddest of odd couples, interrupted only by an imbibing priest and a tarty

teenage girl.

Of the battling brothers, Paul O’Brien as the put-upon Coleman

delivers the more impressive performance, continually pushing the buttons

that enrage Valene and enjoying his mischief immensely. While Valene is

the darker of the two in spirit, it is Coleman who blew his father’s head

off when the old man criticized his hair style, hence his character bears

watching as a loose cannon, capable of instant ignition.

Rod McLachlan plays the controlling brother Valene with a surly,

perpetually hostile snarl that exudes strength but little variation. His

proprietary attitude toward his possessions borders on the juvenile, and

his outrage when his territory is invaded is particularly robust.

The young, ineffectual priest -- such a cypher that others aren’t sure

whether his last name is Walsh or Welsh -- who endeavors to cement a bond

between the brothers is a particularly sorry character, wallowing in his

insecurity and fueling it with alcohol. J. Todd Adams renders a splendid

characterization of dispirited weakness and dearth of confidence.

Amy Chaffee’s flirtatious Girleen, the play’s only upbeat character,

spices the production somewhat and contributes a thoughtful,

soul-searching sequence with the priest. Her role does, however, appear

merely tacked on to flesh out the script.

“The Lonesome West” is at its best when the brothers are at each

others’ throats -- which is most of the time. Their strained attempt at

detente in the play’s final scene is beautifully depicted, as the

audience awaits the inevitable schism that will shatter this contrived

covenant.

They may resemble a pair of bickering juvenile delinquents, but the

brothers of “The Lonesome West” put on a spirited show as they take turns

getting each other’s Irish up. ‘Twas a fine play to be seein’ on St.

Paddy’s Day.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Thursdays and Saturdays.

FYI

WHAT: “The Lonesome West”

WHERE: South Coast Repertory’s Second Stage, 655 Town Center Drive,

Costa Mesa

WHEN: 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2 and 7:45 p.m. Saturdays

and Sundays through April 15

COST: $26-$47

CALL: (714) 708-5555