The Royal National Theatre of London's production of Martin McDonagh's second play triumphantly endorses the plaudits lavished on The Beauty Queen Of Leenane. Here again are the elements of a creative structure, language out on a spree, strongly individual characters and an irresistible dramatic undertow.
The marvellously inventive story centres on Billy, a badly crippled youth who lives on Inishmaan with two kindly pretend aunts. On the neighbouring island of Inishmore, an American film director, Robert Flaherty, is about to make a famous film and Billy sees a chance to escape his confined life and despised status. By dint of lying and desperation, he gets his chance, with odd consequences for his aunts and neighbours.
And what a bunch they are. Thrown together, they all create a world that is unreal yet totally credible. It is a hilarious one to watch and listen to, where the ludicrous values and duelling dialogue so parallel the familiar as to constitute a biting satire on it. Yet, whenever laughter is in the ascendant, there comes a revelation of savagery and tragedy that throws it all back into the author's creative melting pot.
Nicolas Hytner's direction of his cast is impeccable. Against Bob Crowley's stunning design, he modulates and harmonises their performances quite beautifully. And what a cast he has assembled. Anita Reeves and Dearbhla Molloy are the aunts, Ray McBride the newsman and Doreen Hepburn his bibulous mammy . . . with Ruaidhri Conroy making a brilliant stage debut as Billy.
The play holds its audience in a dramatic vice until the final stage, which offers so many alternatives - before it chooses the only right one - as to be almost confusing. But this is true to the embarrassment of riches which has preceded it.
Plays until Saturday. Further information on Galway Arts Festival events from: (Lo Call) 1890 575655.