Experience the genius of Jez Butterworth’s ‘The Ferryman’, a play about an Irish family whose lives are suddenly thrown into chaos when their past returns to plague them. Set in County Armagh in Northern Ireland in August 1981, The Ferryman is a drama that is emotional, absorbing, and witty.
Why Watch The Ferryman
Why Watch The Ferryman
The Ferryman is a highly engaging play that is full of rich emotion. It has been directed to perfection by the famous Sam Mendes. Having worked on several scripts together before for movies such as Spectre and Skyfall, this is the first time Butterworth and Mendes have collaborated to create a theatrical masterpiece.
As with many of his plays, Butterworth holds nothing back when it comes to the play’s glaring depiction of corruption and tragedy. The cast is simply impeccable when it comes to the performance. Every character is fleshed out exquisitely and brought to life in intriguing ways by the talented performers on stage. This is a play that is certainly worth a watch at Broadway this season.
The Story
The play begins with a brief prologue that is set in the day previous to the events of the play to establish some context. A body has been discovered in a quagmire in County Louth which is right across the border. The body belongs to Seamus Carney, a twenty year old who had disappeared on New Year’s Day of 1972 — he was shot in the head. It is speculated that this was due to his defection from the Irish Republican Army or the IRA. Caitlin, who is Seamus’s widow, along with Oisin, who is her son, now have to stay with Quinn, Seamus’s brother. Quinn was also a man who also had associations with the IRA in the past. However, he spent all his life supporting his family that comprised of his ill wife and six children. The others who stay with them are Quinn’s uncle, Pat, and his aunts Patricia and Maggie. Another man who is present in the midst of all this drama is Tom Kettle, an extremely rich English handyman, who proves to be a source of enjoyment for the children.
Throughout the play, Quinn holds an unspoken affection for Caitlin. They try to live their lives normally, carrying out the typical harvest celebrations. Their lives change, however, when Muldoon, an influential person in the IRA, arrives at their home in order to restrict any damage to their cause created from discovering Seamus’s body.
Good for
Lovers of Suspense and Drama | Jez Butterworth Fans
Critics Reviews
“Jez Butterworth pulls another rabbit from the hat.”
– The Guardian
“A feast of intricate storytelling, the Ferryman is absorbing, soulful, and ultimately shattering.”
– The Evening Standard
“It sold out in one day. All the fuss was largely justified.”
- The Independent
Please note that these are for a previous production in London.
Cancellation policy
Cancellation policy
These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
Reviews
Know Before You Go
Know Before You Go
Show Details
Show Timings
Sunday | 3 PM |
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday | 7 PM |
Wednesday & Saturday | 1 PM & 7:30 PM |
Duration
3 hours and 15 minutes, with one intermission and one five-minute pause between Act II and Act III.
Leading Roles
Dean Ashton as Frank Magennis
Paddy Considine as as Quinn Carney
Laura Donnelly as Caitlin Carney
Justin Edwards as Tom Kettle
Directed by
Sam Mendes
Written by
Jez Butterworth
Additional Information
Audience
The show is suitable for ages 10+ with adult supervision, children under 4 will not be admitted.
Available Facilities
Wheelchair accessible
Coat room
Seating
Bernard B. Jacobs has a seating capacity of 1078.
Outside Food
Strictly prohibited. If you'd like to grab a meal before or after the show, check out our guide to the 30 Best Restaurants in the Theater District.
Dress Code
Smart and casual wear is recommended. Keep in mind, the theater is air conditioned throughout the year and can get a bit chilly.
My tickets
My tickets
Your e-tickets can be exchanged for physical tickets with our uniformed Headout hosts outside the theater.