THEATRE REVIEW : Big Maggie-Trial
and tribulations of raising a family
 By
Grainne McLoughlin
John B. Keane’s play Big Maggie has marked the launch of West London’s
newest theatre company — the Irish Network of Dramatic Arts. Running
until April 22 at London’s Tabard Theatre Big Maggie tells the story
of a woman coming out of the shadow of her husband following 25 years
of marriage.
It’s Kerry in 1963 and Maggie Polpin has just buried her abusive
husband. She has a farm to run and a shop to look after as well as four
children — albeit grown up.
But Maggie is hard from the years gone by and thinks her children want
too much from this world. She never had such freedom and thinks they should
be more disciplined.
But one by one the children rebel and leave home leaving Maggie to wonder
where it all went wrong and what she now has to do.
The Irish Network of Dramatic Arts was set up by Irish actors in London
who want more Irish drama on stage.
Principal organiser Tom Begley — who is also directing Big Maggie
— hopes to stage productions throughout Britain and Ireland.
Big Maggie is one of John B. Keane’s 18 plays and was a Broadway
success in 1982.
Possibly the writer’s most popular novel, The Field — about
a land dispute in rural Ireland — was turned into an Oscar-winning
film starring Richard Harris and Brenda Fricker.
Big Maggie will play at the Tabard Theatre until April 22. For further
information about the play and purchasing tickets contact the box office
on 0870 1696 805 or www.tabardtheatre.co.uk
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