Writer: Rachel Thornton
Director: Rachel Thornton & Úna Nolan
A genuinely delightful piece of theatre, The Last Wolf in Ireland tells the story of Noah, a werewolf, and his best friend Colm as they embark on a very chaotic sleepover. With humour and heart, this play is an exploration of friendship, the pressure on people to ‘be grand’ despite the difficulties in their lives and the visibility of women’s achievements. As the audience enters Noah, played by Will Farren, is already on stage, wearing a Hannibal Lecter style mask and with rope around his ankles. In an impressive display of stillness or meditation, Farren is almost unnerving to watch as he doesn’t flinch despite the activity around him.
This is a two man play. Colm, played by Jack O’Donoghue, is determined to stay with his friend despite what’s about to happen ‘around midnight’. The two actors have wonderful chemistry akin to the old friends their characters are supposed to be. From arguments, heart to hearts, being a little drunk and the casual ease of familiar friendship, these actors keep you gripped for the whole play. Delivering lines such as “It wasn’t my intention to break the ceiling fan, it was my intention to fly like a helicopter” with flair, they certainly keep the audience laughing.
The set designed by Isabel Hamilton, is minimalistic and perfectly sets the scene of a vacant home. The only things on the stage are what needs to be there. Each part of the set is used expertly and has a specific purpose. The play also uses projections to display the ticking clock to when Noah transforms. It creates a sense of urgency in the audience, particularly as midnight creeps closer and closer. The lighting, designed by Ash Dawes and the original music by Joshua McNutt ingeniously creates the atmosphere of this play. Luke Duffy’s costume and makeup design serve to highlight the individualism between the two characters. They are two very different people who have developed a close and caring friendship. Like the old saying goes, opposites attract.
Interwoven through the play, through Colm, is a narrative about women, their role in society and the celebration (or lack thereof) of their achievements. When tasked with writing an essay about an unsung female hero, Colm struggles to find a subject “probably because they’re all unsung”.
A genuinely funny, heart warming play, The Last Wolf in Ireland is a must see for Irish theatre lovers.
Runs Until 15th March 2025.
