Juno and the Paycock, Gielgud Theatre Review

Aisling Kearns (Mary Boyle), J. Smith-Cameron (Juno Boyle), Mark Rylance ('Captain' Jack Boyle) & Eimhin Fitzgerald Doherty (Johnny Boyle) in Juno and the Paycock. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Reviewed by Philip for Theatre and Tonic

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review

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Set against the backdrop of Dublin in the 1920s, Juno and the Paycock lands back in London, this time at the Gielgud Theatre. J. Smith Cameron and Mark Rylance play the title characters, Juno and the Peacock (or paycheck in an Irish accent), respectively.

Sean O’Casey’s tragicomedy, which was first performed in 1924, looks at the socioeconomic climate of Ireland and Dublin at the beginning of the Irish Civil War. It details the lives of a dysfunctional family living in a tenement. Juno is the matriarch of the Boyle household. She is the glue that keeps her family together which is beginning to become unstuck. She is the breadwinner who goes out every day to make a crust of a living to support her family. ‘Captain’ Jack, Juno’s husband and father of the family is a work shy paycock who often regales tales of his time at sea even though he has only been on a boat once. Whenever the subject of work is brought up he develops sudden onset pains in his legs and instead likes to drink all the family's money with his friend Joxer instead. 

The beauty of this ‘Irish Masterpiece’ is the balance between the comedy and tragedy that O’Casey has created. The play tackles some real hard-hitting issues like poverty, murder and being deserted as a single mother amongst other things but that doesn’t stop the laughs from hitting you either. You almost feel guilty at times but the comedy is just brilliant. There are elements of slapstick and some witty one liners and retorts. Through all of this, it feels akin to real life. You take the highs and lows in equal measure. 

J. Smith Cameron, of ‘Succesion’ fame, is glorious as Juno. She is strong and resilient. Forgiving of her husband until she finally reaches the end of her tether. Cameron has a ferocious edge making Juno, a fearsome protective mother. Mark Rylance as the unsupportive ‘Captain’ Jack is a riot. He is quite frankly useless to his family but Rylance brings so much humour to his portrayal. Although he is hugely unlikeable, Rylance is warm and engaging. He is almost parasitic to Cameron’s Juno. He takes everything she gives and more. 

Aisling Kearns and Eimhin Fitzgerald Doherty play the adult Boyle children, Mary and Johnny. Both characters are struggling in their own way. Mary is a striker who ends up falling in love with a man who leaves her out of the blue while carrying his child. Johnny is struggling with PTSD from injuries he sustained in a battle during the Civil War while also feeling guilt over the betrayal of a comrade. Kearns and Doherty are both captivating. They are the beating heart of Juno and the Paycock, they are real people, not caricatures. Paul Hilton plays an important part in the comedy double act between Jack and Joxer. He is the man who accepts Jack’s behaviour and in many instances makes it worse. Nevertheless, the comedy Hilton and Rylance provide is brilliant. 

Though told in two acts, the play was originally presented in three which means that Act 2 of this version is oddly about double the length of the first. The works well for the script but potentially not as well in practice. 

This revival is enthralling. Drawing you in with humour before sucker-punching you with the dark themes that follow. If you get the chance, make sure you grab a ticket before it closes!

Juno and the Paycock is running at the Gielgud Theatre until 23rd November 2024

★ ★ ★ ★