The Ferryman Tickets

By: Jez Butterworth
Director: Sam Mendes
Producer: Sonia Friedman Productions, Neal Street Productions & Royal Court Theatre Productions
Design: Rob Howell
Lighting: Peter Mumford
Sound: Nick Powell
Cast List: Rosalie Craig (Caitlin Carney), Owen McDonnell (Quinn Carney), Justin Edwards, Stella McCusker, Siân Thomas, Declan Conlon, Dean Ashton, Terence Keeley, Sean Delaney, Francis Mezza, Kevin Creedon, Laurie Kynaston, Saoirse-Monica Jackson

'A shattering feast of intricate storytelling.' - Evening Standard. Written by Jez Butterworth, The Ferryman is an intimate period drama, set against the political backdrop of the early eighties in Northern Ireland. Directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes, the play has London critics raving about the stunning performances and high emotions the story provokes.

Quinn, a former IRA activist, finds his new life as a farmer is threatened when his missing brother’s body is finally discovered, and a strange visitor arrives at his home. On the day of the yearly harvest, this stranger is an unwelcome guest who upsets the festivities for Quinn and his family. In a country torn apart by religion, politics and history, the past lives and allegiances of one family are brought to the surface once again. The play expertly deals with one man’s inescapable history and how one decision can have a ripple effect across the years.

Quinn’s life is turned upside by revelations about his past, but he still has hope that the women in his life will stay by his side. A gripping, emotional drama, The Ferryman transports audiences effortlessly to the Northern Irish countryside, into the heart of a community in the throes of the Troubles. A triple threat of powerful writing, great direction and naturalistic performances makes this one of the best plays to come along in recent years.

What to watch for

At the 2018 Olivier Awards, The Ferryman won three awards, including Best Actress, Best Play and Best Director.

Laura Donnelly, who won the Olivier for Best Actress, was in a relationship with the writer of The Ferryman, Jez Butterworth. She was performing in his previous play The River, when Jez began writing The Ferryman.

Laura’s personal experience was the inspiration for the play. When the IRA ‘disappeared’ a person, as they did in the play, a person’s family is left wondering if they could still be alive - this tragic event happened to Laura’s family with the death of her uncle Eugene.