Things To Do: Final Week of The Second Girl at the Vineyard Playhouse

I had the opportunity to see it last week with my Irish friend and her parents who were visiting from Dublin, so I got a lovely double dose of the Irish that night!

The play is set in the American “below stairs” kitchen of a well-to-do Connecticut family and we see life from the three servants’ perspective.  An Irish immigrant, Bridget Conroy, is joined in America by her feisty niece Maggie, (who having survived the sinking of the Titanic is determined to make a go of herself as an actress in America), and together they befriend their employees’ driver, who, despite her rebuttals, makes no secret of his intentions towards the aunt.

It’s a tale of escape to the new world but a struggle to let go of the old. Typical Irish martyrdom and family loyalty washed down with a bottle of whiskey and a shot of humor.

The cast of three each bring a great performance to the Patricia Neal stage at the Playhouse;  Doria Bramante plays Bridget Conroy and skillfully manages to prepare a full breakfast whilst faultlessly delivering her lines in a convincing Irish accent, (the frying bacon was a tease to my hungry belly!).  Cathleen Mullin is equally excellent as Maggie MaCaffery and local actor, Christopher Roberts plays a wonderful foil to our two heroines, as the Chauffeur, Jack Smythe.  

The Irish accents (so I was told by my companions), were very good. Irish fiddle music by Mary Wolverton accompanies the play which is always a treat!

Go if you can …. The show runs Wednesday - Saturday at 7:30 PM until October 9th.

For more information on the Latest from the Vineyard Playhouse visit their website here