“The Beauty Queen of Leenane” may sound innocent, but its audience is in for a shock.
While the play's themes are conventional, Vanderbilt University Theatre’s second production of the year poses some challenging and potentially controversial scenes.

“The play has some shocking scenes that will less likely cause debate but more likely cause discussion,” said junior Frances White, a member of the cast. “My character really pushes emotional boundaries through extremes of anger, sexuality and other emotions. I think there are huge extremes in this play and the lengths to which the themes are brought forward could be controversial.”

Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy delves through themes of stagnation and entrapment, with two students cast in each role to create a different play and different experience for each audience.

“The play is about a middle-aged woman trying to break free from restrictions in her environment,” said director Jon Hallquist. “The play explores very universal themes, not just specifically what we at Vanderbilt feel.”

Cast member and senior Stephanie Roetzel said the shock value has a purpose.
“Because there are scenes of violence and murder, I think it will be more shocking than controversial,” she said. “But the play needs those scenes because they aren't just violence for violence's sake or sex for sex's sake. They are there because it's the only way to raise the stakes high enough to get a strong response.”

Cast member and junior Matthew Russell said he isn’t worried about audiences' reactions.

“We've done some intense plays in the past and the audience has generally reacted well, so I think they can handle it,” he said. “There may be scenes that are very unexpected, but that adds to the relevancy of the play. It's also realistic and brings us closer to the audience.”

Roetzel said the play is not meant to be offensive, it is just meant to make you think.
“It might make you uncomfortable, Roetzel said, “but we don't want you to be comfortable.”