Wife to James Whelan at Jermyn Street Theatre Review
Written by Bronagh for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. All views are our own
Content warnings: scenes of and references to violence.
Written by Teresa Deevy in 1937, Wife to James Whelan transports us to the Irish town of Killbeggan, known locally as ‘the South of France’. We meet the locals as they are eagerly waiting to hear which of the local men is to be offered a lifechanging job in Dublin. Famously rejected by the Abbey Theatre in 1942 for, allegedly, having characters that too closely resemble those in another of Deevy’s plays, this Mint Theatre production is Jermyn Street Theatre’s gain and a stunning addition to their repertoire.
We enter the theatre to Jane Shaw’s music, traditional fiddle music that is so closely associated with Irish culture. Neil Irish’s set changes between Act One and Act Two/Three, with the audience entering a bright outdoors scene with local people lounging on an outside wall as they discuss who they think will be successful in their bid for the Dublin job. There is a gossip-y and community feel in the air, working well with the theatre’s seventy people capacity and making us feel like we are in on the chat. James Whelan, played by Fiach Kunz, is named as the lucky local off to Dublin, leaving on a sour note as his sweetheart Nan Bowers, played by Clíona Flynn, rejects his plea for her to wait for him to return, instead choosing to marry his work replacement, Jack McClinsey.
Seven years pass, Whelan is back in Killbeggan and now a successful business owner. Whelan is still cocky, but richer. The set changes to his office throughout the following two acts, which is smart yet colder than the previous stone work and community feel. Nan is now living in poverty with a child following the death of McClinsey, and we watch on as she begs Whelan to give her work having not been able to for years due to caring responsibilities. She later engages in an opportunistic theft, where Flynn’s performance is very emotional and raw, as the reality of going to prison for said crime sets in. The societal contrast between Whelan and Bowers is stark here; a woman in poverty due to the death of her husband and a man who has climbed the ladder of success and has the choice of three women for prospective marriage – Nan, Kate and Nora.
Wife to James Whelan also provides plenty of comic relief throughout. Eavan Gaffney’s performance as Kate Moran, a local and Whelan’s confidante, is made even better by her facial expressions, wonderfully received in the intimate space. We also meet Apollo, the younger brother of Kate, played by David Rawle, who now works for Whelan in the ‘front office’. He buzzes around, trying to make the office more homely, much to his boss’ dismay. Nora Keane, played by Molly Hanly, is a great addition to the ensemble. Daughter of Whelan’s former boss, she is very keen to marry Whelan as she showcases Anett Black’s costume design in some over the top frocks and hats.
As touched upon, Wife to James Whelan is told in three acts. Unusually, we get a very short first act, an interval and two longer acts separated by a brief pause and dimming of the lights. I am going to assume this is how Deevy wrote the play, so ideally should be adhered too. However, I found this quite jarring and feel like this could be separated in a better way.
It is a delight to see Wife of John Whelan on stage after its rejection, which many believe was due to the political undertones and deviating from the conservatism of Ireland at the time. Whether we like it or not, theatre is political; it always has been and always will be. This is a stand out production, made up of a very talented and dedicated cast. Perhaps it is time for more of Deevy’s rejected works to be revisited and put on stages in London and beyond.
Wife to John Whelan plays at Jermyn Street Theatre until 25th July 2026.
★★★★
