By Virginia Schneider
Photos by Jeff Lorch
Los Angeles, CA, (The Hollywood Times), 4/17/25
Rogue Machine has another feather in its cap with the astounding World Premiere of Corktown ’39, with terrific direction by Steven Robman. As soon as the lights come up this play sucks the audience into Fazakerly’s brilliant, informative script and crackling dialogue. The entire cast is sublime – pitch perfect Irish dialects, brisk pacing and palpable emotions by some of the best acting and direction in town.
Fazakerly’s play is based on a little-known piece of history – the Irish Republican Army’s 1939 plot to assassinate England’s King George VI while on his trip to Philadelphia. It’s a fascinating and well-researched story with family drama added to a real-life political thriller. Indeed some of the play’s characters like Joe McGarrity who heads Clan na Gael, the powerful faction supporting the IRA (played by the excellent Peter Van Norden) and Sean Russell, the IRA Chief of Staff (a masterful performance by JD Cullum) are historical figures and legendary Irish leaders.
Civil War and unrest in Ireland raged in the late 19th–early 20th Century, particularly in County Cork. Irish immigrants to America at the time settled in various ‘Corktowns’ where they maintained a strong IRA/anti-England stance. Organizations like Clan na Gael operated in these areas raising money and committing acts of violence to support the ‘Cause’ in Ireland.
IRA Chief Russell comes to Philly to hire hitman Martin Connor (a steely performance by Jeff Lorch) to take down the visiting king. Russell’s “fixer” and aide in all evil doings is Mike Keating (a wily and calculating Ron Bottitta) and Keating’s deadly ‘Mata Hari’ assistant — his daughter Kate Keating (the brilliant Ann Noble). Kept out of the family business is Kate’s little brother Francis (a delightful Tommy McCabe).
The ink is barely dry on Connor’s deal when Kate’s friend and restrained IRA supporter Tim Flynn (Thomas Vincent Kelly) tells Connor the IRA Chief is rumored to be dealing with Hitler. When the Clan’s McGarrity confides to Connor his own mistrust of Russell…all bets are off and Connor reneges on the deal. A risk, considering he’s breaking a promise to the IRA.
As Fazakerly states in his program notes, his play is to spark debate about the “repugnant use of terror tactics…” to further what some “…consider a just cause.” Family ties, relationships and partnerships, trust, loyalty and duty are all put to the test and examined here. How do we view such issues through today’s lens?
Fazalerky creates an engaging story, gleaned in part from his own family history. Robman directs his talented cast with tight scene work, structuring stellar moments with intense passion and tension. Each actor gives a bravura performance of equal depth and resonance.
Mark Mendelson creates a splendid set of moodiness and opulence. Christopher Moscatiello and Dan Weingarten spin a subdued ambiance with their respective sound and lighting designs while Kate Bergh completes the period atmosphere with lovely costume designs. Ned Mochel’s Violence design is subtly charged while Lauren Lovett provides wonderful dialect coaching.
This is one of the best shows playing so do not miss being a part of this terrific World Premiere.
The World Premiere of Corktown ‘39
Written by John Fazakerly
Directed by Steven Robman
At Rogue Machine (in the Matrix Theatre)
7657 Melrose, LA, CA 90046
(street parking)
Opening: April 12, 2025
Schedule: 8:00pm Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays, 2pm Sundays
(no performance Monday April 21 and May 12)
For Reservations: https://www.roguemachinetheatre.org/
Information: 855-585-5185
‘Shows4Less’ on select Fridays
