What should I know before seeing Ferryman?

[BroadwayAndSports]

Posted: 6/5/19 at 4:33pm

Hey all,

I'm seeing The Ferryman this Saturday and I'm wondering what I should know going in about the premise and history. I know only the basics of the Northern Ireland unionist/separatist conflict.

[carolinaguy]

Posted: 6/5/19 at 4:42pm

It is not necessary to know anything in order to enjoy the play. In fact, if you were an expert in the field I don't think it would be of any real benefit. It's really a family drama more than anything else. The politics are merely a plot starter, not the engine of the story.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 6/5/19 at 4:44pm

Basic knowledge should suffice, but you can google “The Troubles,” and, specifically, the “hunger strikes,” if you want additional information going in.

[Kitsune]

Posted: 6/5/19 at 5:02pm

CT2NYC said: "Basic knowledge should suffice, but you can google “The Troubles,” and, specifically, the “hunger strikes,” if you want additional information going in."

Seconded about the hunger strikes. I read this article from Playbill before the show and found it helpful.

Enjoy!

[denali.fire]

Posted: 6/5/19 at 5:45pm

Pee before the show starts.

Just some practical advice

[Ledaero]

Posted: 6/5/19 at 6:23pm

carolinaguy said: "It is not necessary to know anything in order to enjoy the play. In fact, if you were an expert in the field I don't think it would be of any real benefit. It's really a family drama more than anything else. The politics are merely a plot starter, not the engine of the story."

Wholeheartedly disagree. Yes, it is very much a family drama, but the politics are the essential foundation to pretty much all motives and actions in this piece. Everything is related and tied to the conflicts of The Troubles, and the family drama is a reflection of the national conflict. You can certainly enjoy the show with no previous knowledge of the politics, but it enriches and deepens the play tremendously if you know how the story is connected to the crisis.