The Seafarer ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A whiskey-soaked tale of family, friendship, and redemption, set against the backdrop of a fateful Christmas Eve in Dublin. It’s Christmas Eve, and Sharky has returned to Dublin to look after his blind brother, Richard. As the two men rattle around their old house, they are joined by local layabouts Ivan and Nicky, and a stranger, new to town, the mysterious Mr Lockhart. Over a night fuelled by alcohol and resentment, a game of cards is on the table. But the cost of losing may be higher than anyone imagines. A blackly funny, haunting tale of family and friendship, steeped in whiskey and stirred by regret.

Under Ian Higham’s direction, The Seafarer balances dark humour with an increasingly unsettling atmosphere, allowing the relationships between the characters to develop naturally as the tension surrounding the poker game builds. Simon Crump’s set and costume design are particularly effective, with the cluttered living room, Christmas decorations and everyday clothing creating an authentic, lived-in space. The set immediately caught my attention as I entered the auditorium, with its bottles, tinsel, Christmas tree and dartboard making it feel almost like an old Irish pub.

Martin Jessop’s lighting enhances this beautifully, particularly through the use of working floor lamps and a candle, adding warmth and realism to the setting. Nick Wells’ sound design supports the atmosphere without distracting from the dialogue.

Written by Conor McPherson, The Seafarer is a darkly funny exploration of friendship, family, regret and redemption. I particularly enjoyed how it could make the audience laugh one moment and feel genuinely uneasy the next. The dialogue is wonderfully sharp, and beneath the drinking, bickering, and outrageous behaviour lies a surprisingly touching story about loyalty and forgiveness. My only slight criticism is that the pacing occasionally slows during some of the longer conversations in the first half. However, as the supernatural elements emerge and the stakes of the poker game become clear, the production becomes increasingly gripping. The conclusion of the game even reminded me of Only Fools and Horses, with the tension around the table and the anticipation of the final cards bringing a familiar sense of suspense and humour to an otherwise sinister evening.

Eugene Duffy gives a compelling performance as Sharky, capturing his inner conflict as he struggles with guilt, responsibility and his troubled past. His growing desperation as the stakes of the poker game become clear feels entirely natural.

Ian Cooke is wonderfully entertaining as Richard, delivering sharp remarks and complaints with excellent comic timing. Beneath the humour, however, lies a vulnerability that makes his relationship with Sharky particularly touching.

James Ross Turner brings warmth and sincerity to Ivan, balancing the gathering’s more outrageous personalities with genuine kindness and loyalty.

Nick Thomas injects great energy into Nicky, creating lively exchanges and believable camaraderie while adding tension through his connections to Sharky’s past.

Matthew Flexman is particularly unsettling as Mr Lockhart, gradually revealing a sinister side beneath his calm, composed exterior. His scenes with Duffy are among the production’s strongest, as the poker game transforms the evening from drunken comedy into something far darker.

The five performances work brilliantly together, creating a believable group of friends whose natural chemistry strengthens both the humour and the darker moments. Ultimately, The Seafarer is a darkly funny and surprisingly moving exploration of regret, friendship and redemption. A devilishly entertaining night of theatre that proves a bottle of whiskey and a game of poker can be a dangerous combination!

The Seafarer is playing at Greenwich Theatre from 13–24 October. The running time is approximately 2 hours 20 minutes, with an age recommendation of 14+. Click here to find out more information.