Seamus O'Rourke breathes new life into John B Keane’s classic the Love Hungry Farmer

Actor and playwright Seamus O'Rourke says no amount of rehearsal can replace the most essential ingredient in theatre — the audience.

Speaking about his latest production, The Love Hungry Farmer, O’Rourke said the play continues to evolve in front of live audiences, with each performance sharpening its rhythm, humour and emotional weight.

“The one ingredient you can’t rehearse is the audience,” he said. “You learn an enormous amount in those first few shows — what works, what needs time, what needs to move.”

O’Rourke likens the process to stand-up comedy, where performers often spend dozens of shows refining a routine.

“If comedians take 20 shows to get something right, it stands to reason that theatre is the same — especially when you’re dealing with comedy and trying to balance laughter with something more truthful underneath.”

Adapted from a novella by John B. Keane, written more than 40 years ago, The Love Hungry Farmer explores loneliness, desire and emotional isolation in rural Ireland — themes O’Rourke believes are as relevant now as ever.

“We’d all love to write a play that doesn’t need tweaking, but it hasn’t happened to me yet. I always say it takes about ten shows to get it to the right level — and then the challenge is keeping it there.”

At the heart of the play is John Bosco McLean, a middle-aged bachelor who has never lain down with a woman, yet has carried romantic longing in his veins all his life. An optimist — and a virgin in equal measure — John Bosco embarks on a search for an ideal companion, undeterred by age, past failures or the damning advice of others. In a community where opinions are plentiful and eligible women are scarce, he follows his heart in one final, hopeful attempt to secure himself a wife.

O’Rourke was keen to avoid portraying the character as a figure of ridicule — something he feels earlier adaptations failed to do.

“I never wanted to play him as a fool or a gombeen. These people are real. We know them. They have as much going on inside as anyone else — often more.”

In this version, John Bosco is both narrator and subject — articulate, emotionally aware, and quietly observant — a choice O’Rourke says brings greater depth and dignity to the role.

“He’s had a boarding school education. He can articulate his feelings. We only get small glimpses of what he’s like in everyday life, and that makes him far more human.”

While the production has not been fully modernised, O’Rourke said careful changes were made to ensure it resonates with contemporary audiences.

“Some things just don’t sit comfortably on a stage anymore. Times change. But what’s striking is how applicable the play still feels. It’s really about loneliness — and that’s something people were reminded of very sharply in recent years with COVID.”

Directed by Michael Scott, who worked closely with Keane during his lifetime, the production has been praised for its sensitivity and balance.

“Michael was a fantastic set of eyes. This wasn’t a case of putting on a bit of John B because he’s popular. A huge amount of work went into finding the theatre in it — the drama beneath the language.”

Early performances have sold strongly, something O’Rourke attributes to the enduring affection for Keane’s writing, coupled with the freshness of the adaptation.

“We’ve all seen The Field and Sive. They’re classics. But it’s exciting to give something less familiar a fresh coat of paint.”

O’Rourke believes Keane’s reputation as one of Ireland’s great playwrights continues to grow.

“People put him right up there with Brian Friel and Tom Murphy. John B wasn’t interested in fame — he loved Listowel, the pub, and the characters he could see every day from his window. That’s why his work lasts.”

The Love Hungry Farmer is set to tour Ireland this year, offering audiences an evening of sharp wit, deep empathy and laughter rooted in the quiet truths of Irish life.