The Lieutenant of Inishmore

The Lieutenant of Inishmore /lɛfˈtɛnənt ... ˈɪnɪʃˌmoʊr/ is a black comedy by Martin McDonagh, in which the 'mad' leader of an Irish National Liberation Army splinter group discovers that his cat has been killed. It has been produced twice in the West End and on Broadway, where it received a Tony Award nomination for Best Play. In 2014, The Lieutenant of Inishmore was ranked in The Daily Telegraph as one of the 15 greatest plays ever written.
In Ireland in 1993, the Northern Ireland peace process is taking its faltering first steps. On the island of Inishmore, a middle aged man named Donny berates foolish teenager Davey for allegedly killing his cat, Wee Thomas, with his bike - although Davey claims innocence. Donny explains that he was only caring for the cat on behalf of his son Padraic. Padraic is an insane (so much so that he was considered too mad for the Irish Republican Army) Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) member known commonly as 'Mad Padraic' and loves Wee Tommy more than life itself so will cause carnage when he hears of his death. Despite his dismay, Donny forgives Davey after forcing a confession from him and miserably phones Padraic. Padraic receives the call while torturing a Belfast drug dealer named James, ready to cut his nipples off having already pulled off his toenails. When he hears that his beloved cat, Wee Thomas, is poorly, Padraic breaks down on the phone in front of James. James gives some advice on ringworm medication for the cat and promises not to sell drugs to kids any more. Padraic briefly suspects James of hoodwinking him to escape but ultimately unties him and gives him money for the bus to the hospital to inspect his potentially infected toes. Padraic then heads back home to the island of Inishmore, where he learns that Wee Thomas is not sick but has been killed and so is intent on revenge. It is then revealed that the cat was not killed by Davey but by two INLA members who did it to attract Padraic over to Inishmore so they could kill him as his madness makes him a liability. Padraic kills four people including them and two other cats before Wee Thomas is found alive and well; the first cat was mistaken for him. At this point only Donny and Davey are still alive and although annoyed at Wee Thomas for creating all this trouble, feed him cereal.
Certain productions might choose to double Joey and James, or have them played by two different performers. There is no official suggestion from McDonagh in the script.
The Lieutenant of Inishmore was first produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2001. The production was directed by Wilson Milam. In 2002, the production transferred to the Barbican, and then to the Garrick Theatre, before touring the UK and eventually Ireland.
A new production opened off-Broadway at the Atlantic Theater Company on 27 February 2006. The production received Lucille Lortel Awards, including Outstanding Play and Outstanding Lead Actor (David Wilmot, tie) with an Obie Award for Martin McDonagh. The play transferred to the Lyceum Theatre, on Broadway where it ran from 3 May to 3 September 2006. The opening night cast included Jeff Binder, Andrew Connolly, Dashiell Eaves, Peter Gerety, Domhnall Gleeson, Brian d'Arcy James, Alison Pill, and David Wilmot. It was directed by Wilson Milam, who directed the original RSC/West End production.
The Lieutenant of Inishmore has also been produced:
The Lieutenant of Inishmore was first produced in Lima, Peru at Teatro La Plaza ISIL, running from 24 April to 1 July 2008.
An Australian production ran from 30 September to 18 October 2008, at the Sue Benner Theatre, Metro Arts in Brisbane, Queensland. The New Theatre at Newtown in Sydney presented the play from 24 April 2018 to 26 May 2018.
Adapted ukrainian version (under the name "Kytsyunya") ran in 2019 in Kyiv, presented by "Wild Theatre".
The Lieutenant of Inishmore was revived from June – September 2018 at the Noël Coward Theatre. The production is directed by Michael Grandage and stars Aidan Turner as Padraic.
Upon release, The Lieutenant of Inishmore was generally well-received among British press. The Guardian gave the play an average rating of 8 out of 10 based on reviews from multiple British newspapers.