The Ferryman

Written by Jez Butterworth
Awards:

  • Olivier Award for Best New Play (2018)

  • Tony Award for Best Play (2019)

Synopsis
Set in 1981 in rural County Armagh during the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, The Ferryman tells the story of the Carney family, whose lives are upended when the body of a long-missing IRA member is discovered in a bog. As preparations for the annual harvest feast begin, secrets and tensions simmer, culminating in a devastating series of events. With its sweeping narrative, richly drawn characters, and intimate exploration of family dynamics, The Ferryman captures the emotional toll of conflict and the inescapable grip of the past.

Themes and Analysis

  • Family and Loyalty: At its core, the play is about the Carney family’s unity and the strain placed upon it by the larger political conflicts of the time. Each family member’s sense of loyalty—to one another, to their community, and to their cause—is explored with nuance.

  • The Shadow of the Past: Butterworth examines how the past, particularly unresolved trauma and secrets, exerts a powerful influence on the present.

  • The Role of Women: The women in the play, particularly Caitlin and Aunt Maggie Far Away, provide both strength and emotional depth, grounding the family amid the chaos.

  • Political Tensions: While the Troubles form the backdrop of the story, the play focuses on their impact on individual lives rather than delving into political rhetoric.

Key Moments

  • The Harvest Feast: A vivid, extended scene that brings the family together in celebration, while tensions bubble under the surface.

  • Aunt Maggie’s Recollections: Her haunting monologues reveal fragments of history and memory, creating a poignant connection between the past and present.

  • The Final Act: The play’s devastating conclusion underscores the human cost of political violence, leaving audiences deeply moved and contemplative.

Critical Reception
The Ferryman was universally praised for its epic scope, emotional depth, and rich characterisation. Critics lauded Jez Butterworth’s ability to weave a deeply personal family drama into the larger historical context of the Troubles. The original production, directed by Sam Mendes, featured a cast of over 20 actors (and a real baby, goose, and rabbit), bringing the Carney family’s world to vivid life.

The Guardian called it “a triumphant blend of the intimate and the epic,” while The New York Times described it as “a sprawling, Shakespearean-style tragedy.”

Why It Resonates Today
Though set in the 1980s, The Ferryman explores timeless themes of family, identity, and the cost of conflict. Its universal message about the cycles of violence and the lingering wounds of the past continues to resonate in today’s political climate.

For Actors and Directors

  • Actors: The play offers extraordinary roles, from Quinn Carney’s emotional complexity to Caitlin’s quiet strength and Aunt Maggie’s poetic, memory-laden monologues.

  • Directors: Staging The Ferryman is a monumental task, requiring careful attention to its pacing, the interplay between its large cast, and the vivid portrayal of its rural Irish setting.

Fun Facts

  • Butterworth drew inspiration from the real-life story of his wife’s uncle, who disappeared during the Troubles.

  • The play holds the record for the fastest-selling play in Royal Court Theatre history.

Resources