NEW YORK—Mikel Murfy’s trilogy is being presented in three segments, one can see one, two, or all three on one day, or on three separate days. The multi-talented actor-writer, has penned all and performs all three solo.
‘The Man in the Woman’s Shoes’
In this segment, Mr. Murfy regales us with an assortment of audible chickens, sheep, and a lovely hound dog, howling.“She’s a fine hound,” says Pat Farnon, our hero, a cobbler, with affection.
But enough of frittering at home, a small cottage where he has spent his life in quiet Sligo, Ireland. There’s business to be done today.
First, he’s expecting a visit from a friend and neighbor, Mr. Hody. Hody’s a short man, but he drives a car. Because his legs are so short, he needs shoes that are built up, and Pat has responded, with blocks of wood attached to the soles.
Hody is delighted with the result, but when it comes to payment, there’s negotiating to be done. Apparently, cash is the farthest thing from Hody’s mind. Bartering is the thing here, and barter they do. It almost seems like one of the major activities of the day.
Pat soon goes on his way, taking the long but pleasurable five-mile walk into the center of things. He stops in a cafe; there’s talk of the recent death of the Pope; only 33 days in office!
But Pat keeps his mind on the main goal of the day. He must reach the football field before the game begins. For he must bring newmade shoes to the manager of the team. And they are on his feet. He is giving them a good stretching.
The manager is a woman. She is Kitsy Rainey, a newcomer to the area, but a formidable one. The game has already begun, and Kitsy is giving the team hell. Her screaming intimidates them. And they turn about and fight their way to a win!
Her shoes have been a success too. She rushes to thrust a small box into Pat’s hands. He refuses to accept it at first. “Wait till you get home to open it. There’s a note there too.” On opening the box, Pat makes a discovery that will change his entire life.
Mr. Murfy’s acting skills can encompass about any kind of creature. But the great appeal of these plays is that the portrayal of seemingly unimportant people and events can extrapolate to many situations that many of us face. Thus, there is a universality to his trilogy, and that’s why, in my opinion, audiences keep filling the seats.
