#ReadingIrelandMonth22 Conor McPherson

MARCH

by Conor McPherson (no photo)

Finish date:  04 March 2022
Genre: Play
Rating: F
Review: Shining City (ISBN: 978-1854598196)

Bad news: This confessional chat (scene 3) patient – therapist was supposed to be the climax of the play. Well, it was just an excruciating read. Scenes 1,2 and 4 were no better: there was a ghost, ex-priest, fiancé, baby, coddling wife, love affair with text messages, a gigolo…and a fight in a brothel.

Bad news: McPherson tries to mirror the private lives of the patient (John) and therapist (Ian). Both have huge secrets from spouse/fiancé…both want to “…believe that something else is my reality” but the whole concept of the play felt …like wading through thick mud, and I found myself longing desperately for some clear, unambiguous writing. Dialogue is awful….

Mmm…
Okay…
Well, I’m, you know…
No, no no…
No one finished their sentences…ever!

Good news: Stage directions were better than the play!

Personal: What did I just read? …it was a ‘train wreck’ of a play. Just awful. Scenes filled with …ho-hums, empty chatter…just NO feeling that I’ve read a brilliant play. I never expected to read such a boring piece of writing by Conor McPherson. I really enjoyed his play The Weir.  I still cannot find the link between the play and the title? Am I missing something? Shining City is such a huge disappointment.

This is THE WORST Irish play I’ve ever read!
#WasteOfMyReadingTime