'Paycock' pays up

Unlike many unhappily married women, Juno knows where her unemployed alcoholic husband is.

"Struttin' about the town like a paycock with Joxer," she says.

Currently playing at the Irish Classical Theatre, Sean O'Casey's "Juno and the Paycock" is a tragic play about the impoverished Boyle family and their struggle to survive in Dublin during the Irish Civil War of 1922. Despite their good sense of humor, the family is inevitably affected by the violence around them.

All of the actors are able to muster believable Irish accents, and as a result, "peacock" sounds like "paycock."

Juno (Josephine Hogan) is married to the paycock Jack (Richard Howe), who is so lazy that he makes her go out and earn the money so that they can survive. Juno is fed up with his antics, and especially with his best friend, Joxer, who does nothing but encourage Jack's irresponsible behavior.

"Juno and the Paycock" alternates between the entertaining conversations of Juno and Jack, and the pounding of war outside their tiny apartment. To make matters worse, their son Jack is already a mangled veteran. He lost his arm in the war and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.

The sparse appearance of the set reinforces the fact that these people are incredibly poor. When they suddenly stumble across good fortune and inherit money from a friend, their luck seems to improve, but only for a short time.

"I've always enjoyed the work of Irish playwrights," said Tom Thaxton, a teacher at a private school. "Life is approached from such a harsh, realistic perspective. These people are really trying to survive in an environment that makes it almost impossible."

Despite the actors' mastery of the Irish accent, it is difficult at times to keep up with the punchy speed of the dialogue. Trying to understand what the actors are saying through their brogue requires a lot of attention.

Howe portrays Jack as a total slob who stands unevenly in his oversized trousers with an unshaven face and a belly protruding from beneath his shirt. The character is that funny guy who's constantly yelling about nothing, a man no modern woman would dare marry.

Howe and Hogan have great chemistry. Hogan gives the audience the impression that she is a long-suffering woman who has been cleaning up after Jack most of her life, invoking a genuine sense of compassion from the playgoer. The couples' quick comic rapport feels authentic, and is enjoyable to watch.

"I thought that Juno represented a strong woman at a time when women were still, in many ways, considered to be powerless," said Christina Bell, a local high school student. "She has been through so much, and yet she is still working so hard to maintain a life for her family."

Gerry Maher, who plays Joxer, stands out the most among the other actors. Joxer is a seemingly unemployed drunk and scoundrel who steals from Jack and thinks that Juno is an insufferable tyrant. He rambles around the stage after Jack, following him everywhere like a puppy, both of them trying to dodge Juno at all costs.

The play delivers funny dialogue against the backdrop of hard-edged realism, offering strong social commentary. The characters are relatable, endearing and allow a glimpse into the life of the working class in 1920s Dublin.

"Juno and the Paycock" is playing now through April 2 at the Irish Classical Theater. Tickets are $15 for students.