By the Bog of Cats: Irish Gothic Mixed With Greek Tragedy at The Artistic Home
A bit of background about Irish land. Bogs are a rare sort of land in Ireland now, found mostly in the west and far north of the country. They tend to be infertile, with acidic soil and remains of decaying plant matter, which piles up and forms peat. There are some animals like mudfish, geckos and a few birds. Bogs are a popular setting for Irish and Scottish plays and stories because they have taken on supernatural auras over time.By the Bog of Cats is notable for fine performances by Collins as Hester, Latta as the Catwoman and Niall as Cassidy. Elise Wulf is a likable and precocious Josie. Director Mossman sets his story on a spare Artistic Home stage. The rear wall is painted with a scene of plants and grasses in blues and grays. Hester’s “caravan” sits at one side opposite the cottage. The scenic design by Anders Jacobson and Judy Radovsky is minimal but atmospheric. Claire Sangster handles lighting design and Petter Wahlback is responsible for sound. Zach Wagner’s costume designs include several “wedding” dresses and the Catwoman’s coat of what looks like cat fur studded with cat paws and eyes. Marina Carr is one of the younger generation of Irish playwrights. Some of her other plays are The Mai, On Rafferty’s Hill and Portia Coughlan. She credits Greek mythology as an influence on her work, especially the development of strong female characters such as Hester Swane. By the Bog of Cats was produced in Chicago in 2001 by the late Irish Repertory Theatre. By the Bog of Cats continues at The Artistic Home, 1376 W. Grand Ave., through March 26. Performances are Thursday-Sunday with tickets at $28-32. Phone 312-811-4111 for tickets and info.
Nancy S Bishop
Nancy S. Bishop is publisher and Stages editor of Third Coast Review. She’s a member of the American Theatre Critics Association and a 2014 Fellow of the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. You can read her personal writing on pop culture at nancybishopsjournal.com, and follow her on Twitter @nsbishop. She also writes about film, books, art, architecture and design.