The Weir
03 November 2025
Harold Pinter Theatre
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
The Weir, currently running at the Harold Pinter Theatre until 6 December, stars Brendan Gleeson as Jack and Kate Phillips as Valerie. Conor McPherson directs his masterpiece in this intimate revival.
In an isolated pub in rural Ireland, locals gather for an evening of togetherness while a storm rages outside. Publican Brendan and local garage owner Jack start the evening off by lamenting the broken taps, having to resort to bottled Guinness instead. They comfortably shoot the breeze, focussing on local gossip when their friend Jim arrives. Finally, gregarious local businessman Finbar arrives with Valerie, a young woman who has just moved into the small town. After having given her a tour of the area, he wants to introduce her to local colour. Over the course of a friendly evening, talk turns to local history, fairy stories, tales of ghosts and personal tragedies.
The play is contained in one cosy evening sheltering from a storm, there is a very homey and warm atmosphere reminding of chatty regulars down the local pub whiling away their evening reminiscing and drinking. The slice-of-life story impresses with characters that feel immediately familiar, wrapping the audience in a smoky 90s pub haze while loud-mouth Finbar tries to impress the new arrival under the sneering watch of the other locals.
The Weir feels like an episode of Cheers, transplanted to rural Ireland and infused with friendly banter. The plot has some darker undercurrents, but manages to feel like a warm hug from a friend, comforting and familiar. With characters you’d find down the local watering hole, it’s a wonderfully charming play that manages to expertly cloak its more sombre plot points in warmth and intimacy. A gorgeous piece of theatre!
