As noted in an earlier post, The San Jose Stage Company is now staging the West Coast Premiere of Hangmen by Martin McDonagh.
Amidst the frenzy, a mysterious visitor arrives with a darker agenda. Sixth in the line of Martin McDonagh plays to grace The Stage (following The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Pillowman, The Lonesome West, A Skull in Connemara, and The Beauty Queen of Leenane), Hangmen is a darkly comedic exploration of justice and punishment.
When the United Kingdom abolishes the death penalty in 1965, all eyes in Oldham turn to Harry, the second-best hangman in the country, for his thoughts on this historic development.
In this tale, the news turns Harry’s pub into chaotic hub of locals and reporters seeking his reaction.
In an interview with Currents, Matthew Kropschot says, “as a global society has evolved to determine that captial punishment doesn’t work, our story is right on the cusp of that change… But it’s up to audience to think on the issue for themselves.”
“We are excited to unveil the highly anticipated West Coast premiere of Hangmen by the acclaimed British-Irish playwright, Martin McDonagh. Hangmen joins the ranks of McDonagh’s distinguished plays at The Stage,” said Artistic Director Randall King. “Hangmen fearlessly navigates the realms of justice and capital punishment, interweaving a thought-provoking and darkly comedic narrative filled with its trademark McDonagh twists and turns.”
“I am pleased to be slipping back into the wonderfully dark and funny world of Martin McDonagh. When I first read Hangmen I was struck by how this play is the one that is probably the closest to McDonagh’s world. The Irish plays, of course are brilliant, but McDonagh is a Londoner and the world of Hangmen is so very English. The combination of pitch-black humor and quirky behavior seems heightened with the maturity of a master storyteller,” says director James Reese. “Our cast and creative crew are creating a magical tale that I we hope everyone will enjoy.”
The production runs through 28, 2024 at San Jose Stage Company (490 South 1st Street, San Jose, CA, 95113).
Ticket prices range from $34 to $74 and can be purchased online at www.thestage.org or through the box office at (408) 283-7142.