A hard-drinking funeral

the late henry moss
Almeida theatre


THIS is the European premiere of Sam Shepard’s play and his third in London in the last two years.
The play begins with Earl Brendan Coyle and his younger brother Ray Andrew Lincoln arriving in their errant but dead father Henry’s (Trevor Cooper) Mexican village home for his funeral.
Earl is a successful packaging manufacturer. Ray is, I suspect, Shepard’s alter ego, prone to menacing outbursts.
Ingeniously, Henry’s immediate past comes to life through himself and his diminutive but dynamic girlfriend Conchanna (Flamina Cinqe).
Henry’s kindly neighbour Esterman is a Manuel figure, but Henry was no Basil Fawlty. He had returned from the war after many fraught bombing raids a violent drunk and wife beater.
The sons lock themselves in bitter recrimination and savage fights.
Earle and Ray could have set up a successful school for sibling rivalry, while their father’s death scene terminates after the drinking of a litre of tequila – aided by Conchanna – a justifiable act of euthanasia for a heroic drinker.
Not quite two hours of harrowing family history – it is not just affectionate but touching and amusing in Conchanna’s love for the rascal Henry.
Simon Gregory Toole impresses with his bewilderment at the behaviour of the two brothers, but he too has touching care and consideration for Henry.
Directed at a gallop by Michael Attenborough, it makes for a compulsive evening not without black humour.

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