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Tuesday August 2, 2006

Bullish On New York

As The Irish Rep's Production of The Field Concludes, Marty Maguire Enjoys His Success As "The Bull" McCabe

"The Bull" faces interrogation by Sergeant Leahy (Lawrence Lowry) in The Field (Photo by Carol Rosegg)

By John Mooney

Unlike most Irish, when Marty Maguire left Belfast in 1989, he went straight to Los Angeles and never stopped in New York. In fact, after nearly 18 years in the U.S., the actor had not even visited the city until last March when he starred in the Irish Arts Center's production of A Night in November, the one-man show written by Marie Jones.

Maguire won rave reviews for that virtuoso performance, just as he has for his interpretation of the intimidating Bull McCabe in the Irish Repertory Theatre's production of The Field, which closes this Sunday, August 6th. The actor said it was a challenge to take on a role for which acting legend Richard Harris earned an Oscar nomination in 1991 in Jim Sheridan's film adaptation. Despite widespread familiarity with Harris's performance, the actor has now made his own indelible imprint on the character. Ironically, it was a role that easily could have gone to someone else.

"I came to New York for three weeks of work and wound up with five months' worth. I wasn't supposed to read for it," the actor laughed. "Ciarán (O'Reilly, the director of the Irish Rep's acclaimed production of the John B. Keane classic) thought I was too young to play The Bull, and too old to play Tadgh, his son."

After O'Reilly saw Maguire's skill and versatility on display in A Night in November at the Irish Arts Center, he called him back to read again for The Field. Maguire's longtime friend Tim Ruddy won the part of Tadgh, even though in real life Ruddy is two weeks older than the show's star.

"It's been lovely that The New York Times said I've made the role my own and that people tell me they have forgotten about Richard Harris's screen version. I have gotten a lot of credit, but Tim's strong presence enables me to put my stamp on the role. My character knows he is behind me at all times," Maguire explained in his high and lilting voice that vanishes when he becomes The Bull.

"The two characters have a disturbing relationship. You have a father who can intimidate a whole town into silence. Tim brings a beautiful sensitivity to the role.

Since settling in Los Angeles in 1989, Maguire has worked steadily as both an actor and a director. His film credits include Wild Card, Orphan, The Grasscutter, Last of a Dyin' Race, and St. Patrick's Day with Piper Laurie. Maguire has made TV appearances on Rosanne, JAG, and the BBC comedy Pulling Moves. For 12 years, he has been a member of the award-winning California Artists Radio Theatre, performing works by Irish and American playwrights and Shakespeare.

He deserves a lot more credit for his performance than he has gotten."

Maguire calls his entire experience here in New York "unbelievably rewarding," and claims he is very blessed. During the past few months, he has earned scores of favorable reviews and performed in front of crowds that have included veteran Irish actors Milo O'Shea, Gabriel Byrne and Tony-winner Barnard Hughes, who passed away earlier this month at age 90.

"It was the last play he ever saw. He came to opening night, and I chatted with him. He told me, 'I used to do a bit of acting myself,'" recalled Maguire, who spoke with the legendary Hughes for a half-hour after the show and wound up arriving late for the cast party.

The only downside to Maguire's recent triumphs is that he has not been able to see his sons, who live at his home in California, since he came to the East Coast. He is also looking forward to trimming the beard he grew to play the role of Bull McCabe, in part to make him look older.

"If I could, I'd bring the razor on stage and start shaving when the curtain comes down on Sunday," he joked.

Since settling in Los Angeles in 1989, Maguire has worked steadily as both an actor and a director. His film credits include Wild Card, Orphan, The Grasscutter, Last of a Dyin' Race, and St. Patrick's Day with Piper Laurie. Maguire has made TV appearances on Rosanne, JAG, and the BBC comedy Pulling Moves. For 12 years, he has been a member of the award-winning California Artists Radio Theatre, performing works by Irish and American playwrights and Shakespeare.

Maguire, in an Ole, Ole T-shirt, cheers for the Irish team in A Night in November

Maguire's strong cast of co-stars in The Field include Tim Ruddy, a veteran of Ballykissangel, who unleashes a fury that belies his looks; Malachy Cleary, who has played cops, firemen and priests on TV shows such as Law & Order; Orlagh Cassidy, who turns in a sassy performance as Maimie Flanagan; Ken Jennings as the comical "The Bird" O'Donnell; and Karen Lynn Gorney, best known as John Travolta's dancing partner in Saturday Night Fever. Maguire, who ironically once played Danny Zuko, Travolta's character in the movie version of Grease, says he does a little jig for Gorney backstage to keep things lively.

"We're not robots," the actor explained. "We do things to stay loose and fresh each night. If the crowd only knew that backstage The Bull was doing a jig!" For those who have not seen the play, Bull McCabe, whose toil and sweat made The Field a valuable pasture over the past five years, believes it is rightfully his when the Widow Butler puts up for auction. The Bull, who is related to half of the town, conspires to rig the bidding for the lot and threatens anyone who dares to top his "fair" price of £200 for it. His intimidation does not scare off William Dee, an English "outsider," who has deep pockets and ultimately pays a much higher price for his interest in the land.

"The Bull is not a hero, but I can certainly understand where he is coming from," Maguire said. "I grew up in Belfast, where we've had our own disputes over ownership of land. The play was written 40 years ago, but is so timely today. Just look at what's happening in Israel."

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