• Review For Us
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • VAULT Festival 2023
    • VAULT Previews
    • VAULT Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • VAULT Festival 2023
    • VAULT Previews
    • VAULT Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home Reviews
Gabriel Byrne in Walking with Ghosts directed by Lonny Price a Landmark production presented by Neal Street and Playful Productions photographer Ros Kavanagh

Gabriel Byrne in Walking with Ghosts directed by Lonny Price a Landmark production presented by Neal Street and Playful Productions photographer Ros Kavanagh

Review: Gabriel Byrne’s Walking with Ghosts at The Apollo Theatre

"an exceptional piece of storytelling told through a tour-de-force performance"

by Greg Stewart
September 9, 2022
Reading Time: 4 mins read

Five Star Review from Theatre WeeklySurprisingly, Gabriel Byrne’s Walking With Ghosts marks the legendary star of stage and screen’s West End debut, at the age of 72.  The play, based on his best-selling book and directed by Lonny Price, has already had critically acclaimed runs in Dublin and Edinburgh, and its short run at London’s Apollo Theatre will be followed by a New York transfer.

It’s quite a feat for one person to carry an entire show for a full two and a half hours, yet in Byrne’s presence, time simply melts away.  This impressive performance spans the life of a man who has mixed with Hollywood royalty yet focusses very much on his native Ireland.

Some of the references might be lost on those of us who grew up outside of the Emerald Isle, but it’s always clear what Byrne is aiming to convey.  This is storytelling at its finest, as Byrne allows us into various vignettes of his past in stories told with rich language and a captivating vividness.

       

We begin with Byrne’s childhood, and his hatred for the Catholic school that his parents had to save so hard for to be able to afford the uniform.  Later Byrne would attend Seminary, with hopes of becoming a Priest, but the sexual abuse he suffered would put an end to that dream.

Byrne paints a picture of being someone who wasn’t really very good at anything; an apprenticeship as a plumber ended prematurely, as did a stint as a dishwasher in a hotel.  It wasn’t until he started attending amateur dramatics that Byrne’s future became mapped out.

You mightalso like

For Black Boys credit Ali Wright

For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy to Transfer to The West End

Potted Panto c. Geraint Lewis

Potted Panto Returns to West End for Seventh Season

But despite an impressive CV, Walking With Ghosts rarely talks about the career that made Byrne famous.  He talks briefly about his role on The Riordans, and talks with fondness about working with Richard Burton, but in the main, this solo play is about the ‘ghosts’ that Byrne has carried with him through life.

Family plays a big role in this; his grandmother, who would take him to the cinema and feed him cornflakes, his beloved mother and father, and his sister were all crucial in his formative years, and their influence would continue to stay with him through life.

Walking With Ghosts uses comedy to great effect, Byrne’s impersonations of these important characters in his life are very funny, and the favourite lines of his mother that Byrne repeats delight the audience.

Byrne also talks with frank honesty about more difficult periods of his life, he comes right to the front of the stage to talk about his battle with alcoholism and doesn’t shirk away from the problems that his sister would face on reaching adulthood.  This switching between comedy and tragedy keeps the audience gripped, and utterly charmed, by Byrne’s natural ability to engage.

       

Sinéad McKenna’s set and lighting design helps give context to times and locations, but remains subtle enough to allow Byrne’s story to shine through.  In terms of direction, Lonny Price also allows Byrne to open himself up to the audience without unnecessary distraction.

This failed priest and failed plumber has gone on to lead an extraordinary life, and Walking With Ghosts delves into Byrne’s past to show us all that personal history can be reconciled in a way that allows us to learn lessons and move on.  This is an exceptional piece of storytelling told through a tour-de-force performance.

Gabriel Byrne’s Walking With Ghosts plays the Apollo Theatre until 17 September before a Broadway transfer

Greg Stewart

Greg Stewart

Greg is an award-winning writer with a huge passion for theatre. He has appeared on stage, as well as having directed several plays in his native Scotland. Greg is the founder and editor of Theatre Weekly

Related Articles

For Black Boys credit Ali Wright
News

For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy to Transfer to The West End

Potted Panto c. Geraint Lewis
News

Potted Panto Returns to West End for Seventh Season

London Theatre Week
News

London Theatre Week Returns With Almost 60 Shows Offering Tickets With Prices as Low as £15

Josh Blackburn
Interviews

Interview: Josh Blackburn on Blippi The Musical’s UK Premiere

John Patrick Elliott credit Pete Millson
Interviews

Interview: John Patrick Elliott on Cruise at The Apollo Theatre

Blippi The Musical
News

Blippi The Musical to Premiere in The West End

Comments 3

  1. Pingback: Gabriel Byrne Will Make His West End Debut In His Critically Acclaimed Solo Show Walking with Ghosts - Theatre Weekly
  2. Pingback: Assessment: Gabriel Byrne's Strolling with the Ghosts on the Apollo Theater - Techy Crush
  3. Pingback: WALKING WITH GHOSTS in London: The Reviews! – Byrneholics Online
Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Join Our Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

Meaghan Martin Julie Oli Higginson John Credit Lucy Hayes

Review: Smoke at Southwark Playhouse

Heathers The Musical at The Other Palace credit PamelaRaith

Heathers The Musical Tour Cast Announced

© 2022 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
    • West End
    • Off West End
    • Regional & Tours
    • Digital
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • VAULT Festival 2023
    • Vault Previews
    • VAULT Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer

© 2022 Theatre Weekly