At 70, Brendan Gleeson is proving that great acting knows no age limits.
The Irish screen legend has returned to the stage in a major way, earning universal praise for his performance in the West End revival of Conor McPherson’s play, The Weir.
Playing Jack, a nostalgic car mechanic and pub regular, Gleeson brings warmth, humor, and a quiet dignity to a character whose memories and stories unfold over drinks in a cozy County Leitrim pub.
A Familiar Play With Fresh Energy
For theatre enthusiasts, The Weir is familiar territory.
The play, which first premiered at London’s Royal Court Theatre in 1997, has since seen thirteen revivals.
Despite its long history, this production marks a first for Gleeson on the West End stage.
Audiences and critics alike have been quick to celebrate his “pitch perfect” performance, noting how he effortlessly inhabits a role originally written for someone younger.
Gleeson Shines Amid a Talented Ensemble
Gleeson leads a five-strong ensemble that includes Kate Phillips, Owen McDonnell, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, and Seán McGinley.
While he takes center stage, critics emphasize the strength of the entire cast.
The Guardian’s Chris Wiegand writes that while Gleeson is the headline star, The Weir is very much an ensemble piece, with characters interacting on different emotional wavelengths yet truly seeing each other for who they are.
Critics Rave About Gleeson’s Performance
Across the board, reviews are glowing. The Daily Mail describes him as “a natural for the enchanting poetry of McPherson’s Blarney,” while The Telegraph calls his West End debut “spellbinding” and “a must-see for anyone who admires Gleeson’s film work.”
Dominic Cavendish adds that the 100-minute play leaves audiences convinced they are witnessing one of the greats in action.
The Challenge of Playing Jack
Jack is no simple role. He must balance sardonically laughing at jibes from fellow drinkers with showing a quietly heroic decency.
Gleeson delivers both, portraying Jack as a man carrying the weight of regrets with remarkable poise.
Critics highlight his ability to thread local folklore with poignant reflections on love and missed opportunities, giving the performance a “Krapp-like” resonance that lingers long after the curtain falls.
Theatre Veterans Praise Gleeson’s Gravitas
Jeremy Malies of Plays International notes that while Gleeson is 20 years older than the character as written, his presence enhances the production, demonstrating why McPherson and the producers cast him.
Alice Saville of The Independent praises his “worn-out gravity” as Jack, capturing the humor and humanity of a small Irish pub while commanding attention as a master storyteller.
Returning to the Stage After a Decade
Gleeson’s return to theatre comes after a decade-long hiatus, primarily spent pursuing film and television roles.
He previously explained that he avoided stage work because of his thriving screen career, saying, “Theatre is hard and it has to be worth it.
This is a long stint… it’s fascinating, but it’s kind of exhausting.”
Despite the challenges, Gleeson’s performance proves that his talent translates effortlessly from screen to stage.
A Production That Captures the Magic of McPherson
Critics agree that this revival preserves the naturalistic charm and numinous quality of McPherson’s original 1997 play.
Sarah Crompton of WhatsOnStage notes the production’s ability to make audiences feel immersed in the pub’s small, booze-soaked world, while Gleeson’s Jack provides the perfect anchor for the ensemble’s humor, pathos, and storytelling magic.