Brendan Gleeson receives rave reviews for ‘pitch perfect’ performance in ‘enchanting and naturalistic’ revival of The Weir as veteran Irish star makes his West End debut age 70

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Brendan Gleeson is receiving widespread acclaim for his flawless performance in a new West End production of Conor McPherson’s popular play, The Weir.

In this new production at the Harold Pinter Theatre, the Irish actor portrays Jack, a car mechanic and garage owner who fondly remembers the past. Jack is one of five characters who share blurry memories while drinking together in a pub in County Leitrim.

For long-time fans, this show is a beloved classic. This latest production marks the thirteenth successful run since it first premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool in 1997.

I’ve been a huge fan of Brendan Gleeson for years, and it’s incredible to see him making his West End debut with ‘The Weir’! It’s a bit surprising, considering how established he is as one of Ireland’s greatest actors – he’s 70 now and has had such a long and brilliant career – but it makes this production even more special. It really feels like a first for him, and I’m so excited to see what he brings to the stage.

Honestly, after the incredible reception my performance received – everyone was so supportive! – it’s a little strange it took me so long to fully appreciate it. The premiere at the Harold Pinter on September 12th was amazing, and the unanimous praise afterward really meant a lot. I guess I was just caught up in the moment and didn’t realize how well it was all being received right away.

According to Patrick Marmion of the Daily Mail, Gleeson commands the stage like a figure from the past – a large, powerfully built man whose white shirt strains against his size, all contained within a worn but formerly classic black suit.

Even though Gleeson’s speech can sometimes be hard to hear, he’s perfectly suited to perform McPherson’s captivating and atmospheric poetry, ‘Blarney.’ The poem itself, with its haunting tone and flowing rhythm, really draws the audience in.

As Holly O’Mahoney of London Theatre notes, Gleeson returns to the stage after ten years – his last performance was at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre – to brilliantly lead a cast of five in this realistic play. The setting, a charming rural Irish pub designed by Rae Smith, makes the audience feel like they’re right there.

Playing Jack is a challenging role for Gleeson. The character needs to seem like he’s good-naturedly taking jokes about his appearance and grumpy personality, while also subtly revealing himself to be the most genuinely good person in the group.

Brendan Gleeson portrays Jack with a quiet strength and grace, a man carrying on despite past regrets.

In a rave review for The Telegraph, Dominic Cavendish enthusiastically praised Gleeson’s first performance in London’s West End, awarding it five stars.

If you’re a fan of Brendan Gleeson – whether it’s for his role in *Braveheart*, *Harry Potter*, *In Bruges*, *The Banshees of Inisherin*, or anything else he’s done – you should definitely see him make his first appearance in a West End play, now that he’s 70 years old.

He’s become the defining image for Conor McPherson’s captivating and atmospheric restaging of ‘The Weir’ at the Harold Pinter Theatre. This play, an early triumph for the Dublin-born playwright, beautifully blends humor, sadness, and ghostly stories, all set in a cozy pub in rural Sligo.

If this is your first time watching Gleeson perform, you’ll likely be amazed after just over an hour and a half, convinced you’ve witnessed a truly exceptional talent.

In a review for The Guardian, Chris Wiegand highlighted the strong cast – including Kate Phillips, Owen McDonnell, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, and Seán McGinley – praising Brendan Gleeson as the lead, but emphasizing that ‘The Weir’ truly relies on the interplay between all the characters, who, despite their differences, understand each other deeply.

Critics are also highlighting Gleeson’s skill in convincingly playing a role initially conceived for a much younger actor.

He notes that Gleeson’s character, Jack, initially seems lost in local stories, but ultimately reveals a deep, lingering sadness about lost romantic opportunities from his youth – a regret that has haunted him every day.

The emotional impact is made stronger by Gleeson’s age – he’s 70, while the character is meant to be in his 50s. This comes after a performance full of witty remarks (“That fella’d peel a banana in his pocket”) and confused expressions, beginning with a charmingly funny scene involving a bar tap.

As a huge fan, I was so excited to see Brendan Gleeson in McPherson’s play, and it absolutely delivered! Jeremy Malies from Plays International really hit the nail on the head – McPherson was incredibly lucky to have such a powerful, well-known actor like Gleeson as Jack, especially since it was McPherson’s directorial debut. Everyone was talking about Gleeson’s involvement beforehand, and he truly lived up to the hype.

He’s two decades older than the character was originally envisioned, but it’s easy to understand why the director and producers chose him.

Alice Saville from The Independent gave Gleeson’s first book a glowing review, awarding it four stars.

The most notable casting choice is Irish film actor Brendan Gleeson, and his performance is particularly impressive, according to the writer.

He plays Jack, a mechanic who carries himself with a quiet, world-weary charm. When a new woman arrives, he cleans up and welcomes her, then captivates her with expertly told, chilling stories.

Honestly, the actors *completely* get this world, you know? It feels so real, like a little bubble of life, and they nail all the funny, little details. It’s just… perfectly captures that cozy, slightly messy, always-with-a-drink-in-hand vibe. I’m obsessed with how believable they all are!

According to WhatsOnStage’s Sarah Crompton, the play beautifully blends realism with a sense of the mystical. She notes that it was remarkable when first performed in 1997, written by a 25-year-old playwright, and remains powerfully moving today. This new production features a strong cast, led by Brendan Gleeson as Jack, a local mechanic who frequents a rural Irish bar.

Gleeson had previously said his busy filming schedule made it difficult to commit to stage performances. He returned to the theater in ‘The Weir’ after a ten-year break since his last live performance in Edna Walsh’s ‘The Walworth Farce’.

In an interview with The Times, he expressed his passion for film, explaining he transitioned from theatre to acting in movies. He highlighted *Braveheart* and *Michael Collins* as particularly significant roles in his career.

Okay, so this show… it’s *intense*. Seriously, theatre is just demanding, period, and it really has to grab you to make all the work worthwhile. This run is a long one – we’re committed all the way to December! It’s completely captivating, I’m obsessed, but honestly? It’s also draining. It takes everything out of you, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

‘So nothing kept me away except the older I get the better [film] parts seem to be coming in.’  

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2025-09-22 12:34