Night in November

by Marie Jones

One of the most highly acclaimed Irish comedies of recent years, A Night in November is a hard and humourous look at the Protestant tradition in Northern Ireland. Kenneth McCallister is a dole clerk who tolerates his marriage, his in-laws and Ulster until, on the fateful night in November in Belfast, as the Republic of Ireland qualifies against Northern Ireland for the World Cup, he finds himself watching the sectarian hatred of the crowd rather than the match.
A Night in November follows Kenneth McCallister on his rebellious journey as he decides to travel to New York to join the joyous caravan of supporters following the Republic's soccer team. As he crosses the tarmac at Dublin airport, he looks back at his entirely predictable existence, roars with laughter and boards a flight into the unknown. Not a play about football but about one man who suddenly realises that he can have a hand in his own destiny.

Genres: Plays

48 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

Reviews

[Yejun Zhao · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character's daily life is as boring and inhumane as most ordinary people like you and me. That's why it was easy for me to sympathise with his emotions and thoughts. However, the way he finds his way out through the brotherhood based on nationalistic passion that flashes during the World Cup is a bit......Well, that may not be a problem for some people, but I personally don't like the idea.

[Javier Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This play goes hand in hand with the book I'm currently reading, Anna Burns's Milkman. I'm glad I saw it on stage today.

[E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this place twice, it is phenomenal. The man who was acting it was the person she had in mind while writing the play. Amazing.