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Druid’s newest production, Big Maggie, currently runs at The Gaiety Theatre. Known for their groundbreaking twists on both classic and new plays, Druid have done phenomenally well at bringing an Irish theatrical repertoire to a global audience, and have won over fifty awards at home and abroad. Big Maggie continues their exploration of John B. Keane’s work in a return of their acclaimed production from 2011/2012 with Aisling O’Sullivan, John Olohan and Keith Duffy recast in its lead roles. It is fitting that as a theatre long associated with Keane, The Gaiety is Big Maggie’s newest home.

Set in 1960s rural Kerry, Big Maggie shocks in its portrayal of the dark side of the Irish mammy, replete with money, sex, and expletives. After the death of her husband, Maggie quickly begins the methodical reorganisation of her family’s assets under her own control. The mother of two sons and two daughters, Maggie makes no allusions about her unhappy and repressive life as wife to her late husband. Her children, anxious to hear what has been left to them in their father’s will, are shocked when they discover that everything has been signed over to their mother and any promises they may have received are now redundant.

Aisling O’Sullivan delivers once again a remarkable performance as the domineering matriarch doing all in her power to keep her family, home, and shop in working order. With a thick Kerry accent, O’Sullivan spurts ultimatums and retorts across the Gaiety stage. Strong performances from Duffy and Olohan fall to the wayside in O’Sullivan’s shadow. As the authoritarian crux of the play, she completely dominates the production. Yet the brief glimpses she reveals into the desperate emotion at her heart remind us of the woman behind the overbearing glare, whose harsh manners and rigid opinions may be good intentions, terribly miscalculated.

Tony award-winning director Garry Hynes does well to reimagine the play on the Gaiety stage. Francis O’Connor is once again highly impressive as set designer. With perfectly timed lines and Keane’s sharp wit it is hard not to laugh immensely at Maggie and her children’s exploits. Big Maggie’s success has been such that its run has been extended for three more weeks. With this achievement it is possible this is not the last of O’Sullivan’s Maggie. However one might wonder whether something a little more innovative might be needed from Druid to carry Big Maggie further than O’Sullivan’s continued exhilarating performance.

Big Maggie runs at The Gaiety Theatre until 12th March. Tickets start from €31.