Review: The Chastitute at Gaiety Theatre

We went to see The Chastitute running at The Gaiety Theatre until 20 May.

We give The Chastitute

★★★★★ – 5 Stars!

We went along to The Chastitute now running at The Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, and here is what we thought.

As the curtains pull up at The Gaiety theatre, the audience is immediately immersed in what you might describe as ‘old Ireland’. Religion has a huge role to play in the lives of the characters in this play but never does this aspect overwhelm the plot and by no means is this a play full of doom, gloom and religious smiting.

We are introduced to John Bosco McClaine, a fifty-something-year-old man who has never been married or even been with a woman, despite his efforts. The play tells the story of his journey to finally find himself a wife, meeting some interesting characters along the way that claim to have his best interests at heart.

Despite the ‘old Ireland’ introduction, this play translates well for the modern audience. For one it is hilarious. Filled to the brim with clever innuendos and risqué comments, the audience erupted with laughter for nearly every scene. This play is a must-see for anyone who enjoys the Irish sense of humour. Despite the laughs though, the play has a real soul too. Stephen Brennan, who plays John Bosco, plays the character brilliantly. Not only are his one-liners delivered with perfection, but he portrays the struggles with loneliness felt by the character beautifully. John Bosco is a man who is not just out to find a ‘filly’, he wants a woman who he can get along with and enjoy life with, despite what his friends might think.

Despite the laughs though, the play has a real soul too. Stephen Brennan, who plays John Bosco, portrays the character brilliantly. Not only are his one-liners delivered with perfection, but he depicts the struggles with loneliness felt by the character beautifully. John Bosco is a man who is not just out to find a ‘filly’, he wants a woman who he can get along with and enjoy life with, despite what his friends might think.

The other cast members are just as wonderful, with Catherine Byrne (Fair City, The Clinic), Brendan Conroy (Vikings, Ballykissangel), Sorcha Furlong (Fair City), Andrew Kenny (Tango Dance Champion), Maria McDermottroe (Glenroe Killinaskully), actress and fiddle Player Caoimhe Mulcahy, John Olohan (Glenroe, Fr Ted), Mark O’Regan (The Commitments, Leap Year), Aisling O’Neill (Fair City, Finbar’s Class), Joe Rooney (Fr Ted, Killinaskully) and Billie Traynor (Fair City, Moon Boy). The wealth of experience and talent amongst this cast makes this play a must see. With many cast members taking on different roles on the night, it’s clear so much work and rehearsals have gone into every aspect of the show.

The set was simple but effective, and the clever usage of the props made for easy transitions from scene to scene. The lighting of the stage throughout the play allowed the audience to feel for the characters on stage and understand John Boscos perspective. As the play ended and the audience stood as the cast bowed, we left wholly satisfied from a great night at the theatre.

Don’t just take our word for it. Go and see the play for yourself. Running until 20 May, get your tickets here.