Janet’s quiet strength adds depth to The Weir

Arts Week with Judy Murphy

She’s the unknown element,” says actor Janet Moran about Valerie, the character she plays in Conor McPherson’s popular play, The Weir, which returns to the Town Hall Theatre from next Monday, February 13, until Friday February, 17.

Set in a rural pub, where local lonely men gather in search of company, The Weir is a drama about stories relating to ghostly occurrences. Most of these are told by local men who are trying to impress the area’s newest resident, Valerie.  Her arrival from Dublin has caused a stir in the neighbourhood and there is no small resentment among the barflies towards the local ‘bigwig’ who accompanies her to the bar.

Valerie listens as the men compete and argue with each other – her presence in this sleepy public house has upset the normal order of things.

Finally, when the locals prevail upon Valerie to contribute her ghost story, its awful, tragic truth is more powerful than anything that has preceded it.

“In one way, it’s an easy role and a great luxury as I don’t speak very much for so long,” remarks Janet. “That really gives me a chance to really listen to the others and hear what they are saying – time to think about the characters’ reactions to each other’s stories.”

But then Janet has to deliver Valerie’s big speech and from then on, the spotlight is on her.

Janet likens the play to “a game of two halves”. All the way through, it “is building, building, building”, thanks to McPherson’s writing.

“It is so well written and there are so many things you hear that build up to that speech,” she says of the stories that precede Valerie’s.

This production of The Weir by Decadent Theatre was first staged last year – it opened in Galway in June before touring the country.

For Janet, returning to the role of Valerie requires a two-pronged approach.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.