Martin McDonagh’s 2001 play, set on the island of Ireland in the early 1990s, has been described as a black comedy and savage satire on the violence of terrorism. Watching this new production, it struck me that is can also be seen as a burlesque on James Bond-style action films.
In an early scene, Padraic, our anti-hero, is explaining his rationale as he tortures a Belfast drug pusher, rather as Blofeld does before he consigns Bond to a grisly fate (the dealer’s crime is supplying Catholic children as well as Protestants). Padraic, though, does not have Blofeld’s means at his disposal; he must do his dirty work himself. Preparing to slice a nipple off his victim, Padraic is interrupted by a call from home. His cat, Wee Thomas, is ill. Setting aside his blade, he races back to Inishmore. Disaster ensues.
