Port Authority

by Conor McPherson

Like so many of the great Irish authors, McPherson's writing has a beautiful, lyrical quality and the characters he creates are not easily forgotten. Once again, he explores the heart and psyche of the common man in these three interconnected monologues. The young man who is desperate to move out of his parent's house once and for all; the middle-aged man, a borderline alcoholic and serial loser who has landed a job he's not qualified for; and the old man, a sprightly widower who tries to make the most of his mundane retirement home existence. Set against a backdrop of contemporary Dublin—these three different generations are vastly different yet all three share a common concern about lost love—and their own part in losing it. The power of these three interlocking stories grows gradually into one incisive portrait of Dublin life, in a play that is hilarious in its detail and moving in its portrait of ordinary lives. Conor McPherson was born in 1971 in Dublin. He is best known for The Weir which ran in London's West End for 18 months as well as a lengthy Broadway run. He has won the Laurence Olivier, Critics Circle, Evening Standard, Meyer-Whitworth, Stewart Parker and George Devine awards. Following I Went Down (1998), his second film, Saltwater , which he directed himself, recently opened in London. Also available by Conor The Weir and Other Plays PB $15.95 1-55936-167-0 • USA Dublin Carol PB $11.95 1-55936-185-9 • USA

Genres: Plays, Drama, Fiction, Irish Literature, Theatre

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Conor McPherson is an Irish playwright and director.

Reviews

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautifully simply written play is about contented regret and everyday loss told through three characters.

Kevin is living away from his parents for the first time, sharing a house with friends and falling in love with a young woman he’s afraid to pursue. Dermot, who gets his courage from alcohol, can’t believe his good luck when he lands a great job above his qualifications. Joe lives in a retirement home and doesn’t have much need for energy until he receives a mysterious package from a long-ago neighbor.

[Tom O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deceptively simple three monologue structure paints a moving picture of the three ages of man and the women they love, are loved by, failed to treasure or were not loved back by. The major themes are of lost opportunities, lost love, decisions and choices not made.

Ultimately profound and moving, it also evokes Dublin life precisely and delicately.

[Ryan Murtha · Rating 4 out of 5]

“BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT YOU DO.”

I love McPherson’s dialogue so much, it feels so lived in.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

O'Connor's story unfolds beautifully, with each character seeming separate, yet their involvement grows and grows as the story progresses. The characters are well developed, real, and relatable. While seeing this would be the ultimate option, it's a short but touching read.

[Tom Romig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful storyteller Conor McPherson here has three Irish men of different generations baring their souls via alternating monologues. The characters never talk directly to each other, though they are connected in subtle and intriguing ways. I saw a fine performance of the play at the Quotidian Theatre in Bethesda and afterwards read this script. (The play's format puts me in mind of Brian Friel's Faith Healer, which also has three characters delivering monologues.)

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so much a play as 3 disconnected monologues about disappointment and loss.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant story, brilliant reading.

[Amir Hossein Miri moghaddam · Rating 4 out of 5]

فرم خیلی خوبی داشت و وقتی داستان رو خطی می‌کنی تازه متوجه ظرافت فرم روایت می‌شی.

[Ché Tligui · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful homage to personal history and crises. The phantom thread of masculinity through all generations.

[Kasandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting play told through 3 characters, the focus is on love lost, never pursued out of fear, and/or settled for. A picture of Dublin life with illuminating moments of tenderness, but never sentimental. Would like to read more of his work.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to see three stories, happening seperately of each other but in the same town/vacinities, come together by the monologue of three seperate men.