Irish Blood, English Heart *** TNT



Six weeks after the funeral, brothers Con and Ray meet in the rundown Southwark lockup where their late father hoarded the paraphernalia of his life. In Darren Murphy’s over-complicated, yet insufficiently penetrating, play these two second generation Irish immigrants have taken very different paths.

Con has followed in his father’s footsteps to become a London cabbie, whist Ray has made a name for himself Stateside in showbiz – and that’s part of the problem. The character he created bears a striking resemblance to Con (even down to having a red-headed spouse) and now he’s brought out a money-spinning book. With cash tight and their ambitions of opening a bistro slipping away from them, Con’s wife Betty thinks Ray owes them.


In addition to their sibling rivalry, the bothers hold completely different views of the dead man. Estranged Ray freely admits to hating him. Only reluctantly (and at Con’s insistence) has he found a tiny window between personal appearances and his flight back to the US to see the relics that remain. And despite his loyal protestations and attempts to idolise him, even Con hadn’t been near their father for a couple of years. As they reassess and relive the past, Con is forced to face up to the true nature of the man he feels duty-bound to lionise.


After what feels like a rather slow first half, the revelations come tumbling after the interval, but by then, despite a couple of strong, truthful scenes, it’s too late to care overmuch what led to Con’s current problems, whether Ray will cough up, the nature of their father’s
r elationship with the young lad who discovered the body – or, for that matter, how much of his life as an Irishman making his way in England was pure fabrication. 



Trafalgar Studios (2), Whitehall, SW1A 2DY Tube: Charing Cross (0844 871 7632) ambassadortickets.com/trafalgarstudios Till 21st May (£22.50)