Wife to James Whelan

The Off-Broadway Mint Theater Company is known for fishing out and staging plays that have been neglected and lost for quite some time. This reputation is the effort of artistic director Jonathan Bank, and with Wife to James Whelan he has enhanced it even further. Teresa Deevy, the writer, was a playwright who achieved popularity in the 1930s at Dublin’s Abbey, but was subsequently discarded, and then lost to time and theater. For serious students and connoisseurs of theater, this work is an important introduction to the intriguing writer, and for others it provides an evening of humor and clever entertainment, with its sharp plot and multi-dimensional protagonists.

Set in a small town in Ireland known as Kilheggan, the story follows the developing life of James Whelan, and his changing encounters with several characters, particularly Nan Bowers, the love of his youth, and Kate Moran, a woman who has bestowed unrequited love upon him. In his early 20s, Whelan decides to leave the town and make a life in Dublin. The problem is that Nan Bowers, with whom he is passionately involved, does not approve of his decision, and fearful of losing his love, she mocks him and states that by wanting to go the city, he is trying to prove himself superior. Unfortunately for them, both have an unbending resolve, and Whelan does move on to Dublin, after some fascinating exchanges with the other characters in his life.

The story then moves seven years ahead, when Whelan returns to town, established as a successful businessman, and Nan is a widowed and impoverished mother of a four year old. She comes to Whelan looking for a job, but when he catches her stealing a small sum of money, he resolves to press charges, completely dismissing all appeals for pity from his few acquaintances. Nan is released from prison six months later and still wants the job with him. What will he now do? His bitterness of youth obviously hasn’t gone, and that lost relationship has stormed back into his life in the most unexpected way possible. Will he employ her now, and will their story take another turn? Find out at the Mint Theater.

The play has received very favorable reviews from several critics and theater-goers for its wit, humor and cohesive plot. It is running till October 3, 2010, and the next shows are as follows:

Tuesday, August 31, 2010 7:00 PM

Wednesday, September 1, 2010 7:00 PM

Thursday, September 2, 2010 7:00 PM

Friday, September 3, 2010 8:00 PM

Saturday, September 4, 2010 2:00 PM

• Writer: Teresa Deevy
• Director: Jonathan Banks
• Venue: Mint Theater Company
• Address: 311 W. 43rd Street, New York,
• Ticket Price: $55

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