The Australian called Martin Mc Donagh's The Lonesome West, "a claustrophobic war between two of the meanest, most spiteful sinning brothers you could ever fear to meet." It was surely an inspired step to cast Jon Kenny and Pat Shortt, d'unbelievably funny D'Unbelievables, as the brothers for the current Irish tour. The show is in the Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick, until Saturday, and then tours to the Town Hall, Skibbereen (Monday and Tuesday), the Town Hall, Tullamore (Thursday), the Town Hall, Shercock (Saturday, November 30th), St. Patrick's Hall, Armagh (December 2nd and 3rd), the Town Hall, Clifden (December 5th), the Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny (December 7th to 9th), and the School Yard Theatre, Charleville (December 11th and 12th).

There is, says director Garry Hynes, "lots of interest in the play going to New York - any number of producers are interested." She should know, she says, by Christmas. Meanwhile Mc Donagh's Beauty Queen of Leenane still storms on Broadway. The cast should normally have changed to an American one, according to US union rules, in September, but they were given four months' grace. In January, two cast members will change: Stevie-Ray Dallimore will take over from Brian F. O'Byrne and Kate Burton (daughter of Richard) will take over from Marie Mullen. Anna Manahan has been given a dispensation to continue to reign as the wicked old mother over her desperate daughter and her would-be lover.