The Veil

by Conor McPherson

"McPherson is quite possibly the finest playwright of his generation."nominated The Seafarer and Shining City, This Lime Tree Bower, St. Nicholas, Port Authority, and Dublin Carol. He is the recipient of the Evening Standard Award for Outstanding New Playwright and the London Critics Circle Award for the Most Promising Playwright. His work has been produced throughout the United Kingdom and United States.

Genres: Plays

70 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 2012

About the author

Conor McPherson is an Irish playwright and director.

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a huge admirer of McPherson, but this one left me a little cold. There are beautiful moments here and some of the most lyrical writing that McPherson has ever done, but ultimately, this is too unfocused. I would be interested in seeing a production of this, though, as it may be a stage-page issue.

[Livinginthecastle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to see the NT's production of this, and I loved it. I think without giving too much away McPherson tends to produce work that is ethereal and haunting, subtly reproducing the feeling you get on Christmas Eve of past Christmases haunting you, and the earthly regrets of roads not taken (even when not ostensibly set around Christmas time).

[Shane Egan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, well-paced first act with plenty of mystery. The second act is unfocused and the melodrama is cranked up to 11. I would still go and see it if only for the period setting in 1800s Ireland and to see how the 'otherworldly' stuff is staged.

[Tom Romig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Troubled, mysterious characters, hidden family secrets, supernatural happenings. An absorbing play by the master storyteller. (As fortunate chance would have it, it's being performed locally [DC] starting next week. Can't wait.)

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps the weakest Conor McPherson play I have read. It may be that on stage it has a bit more power, but it lacks his usual writing intensity and quality of language.