Outside Mullingar
by John Patrick Shanley

Name: Outside Mullingar
Brand: John Patrick Shanley
SKU: 9780822231639
Rating: 3.95 (405 reviews)

Broadway

Outside Mullingar Book Cover — Outside Mullingar Cover

Highlights

Small Cast

Female

Male

90 minsPresent DayUnit Set/Multiple SettingsContemporary Costumes/Street ClothesAmerican Comedy

Awards & Recognition

Drama Desk AwardOuter Critics CircleTony Award

Nominee: 2014 Tony Award for Best Play Nominee: Two 2014 Outer Critics Circle Awards Nominee: Two 2014 Drama Desk Awards

What readers are saying

Readers appreciate the emotional depth and charm of the play, noting its beautifully crafted dialogue and relatable characters. Many find it a delightful exploration of love and rural life, with strong performances enhancing its quality. However, some critique its sentimentality and occasional awkward pacing, but overall reactions are overwhelmingly positive.

Emotional and charming storytellingWell-crafted dialogueRelatable charactersDelightful exploration of loveA bit sentimental for some

Synopsis

Anthony and Rosemary are two introverted misfits straddling 40.

Anthony has spent his entire life on a cattle farm in rural Ireland, a state of affairs that—due to his painful shyness—suits him well.

Rosemary lives right next door, determined to have him, watching the years slip away.

With Anthony’s father threatening to disinherit him and a land feud simmering between their families, Rosemary has every reason to fear romantic catastrophe.

But then, in this very Irish story with a surprising depth of poetic passion, these yearning, eccentric souls fight their way towards solid ground and some kind of happiness.

Their journey is heartbreaking, funny as hell, and ultimately deeply moving.

OUTSIDE MULLINGAR is a compassionate, delightful work about how it’s never too late to take a chance on love.

ThemesAmerican drama Drama DRA001000 DRA003000 FAM029000 Man-woman relationships PS3569.H3337 O97 2014

Press Reviews

"A charmer of a play about a hesitant romance stalled by petty grievances and misunderstandings. Unapologetic sentimentality without too much treacle isn't easy to do, but the playwright pulls it off with confidence."
— Hollywood Reporter

"Shanley's gift for lightly sprinkling import on ordinary situations is intact. You may find Rosemary overbearing, but you believe her. You may find yourself impatient with Anthony, but you still hope he’ll see sense. Outside Mullingar is a visit with people you are not likely to meet in Manhattan, but you leave the theater convinced they are trudging through life today somewhere in the Irish countryside."
— New York Theatre Guide

"Mr. Shanley’s lyrical writing give such consistent pleasure that even though we know the equations that define romcoms will add up to the familiar sums, we are happy to watch as they do."
— The New York Times