Nearly three decades after its debut, Marie Jones’ STONES IN HIS POCKETS continues to strike a chord with audiences worldwide, its razor-sharp commentary on Hollywood’s patronizing portrayal of Ireland as relevant today as it was in the 1990s. The latest production, currently running at Cork’s Everyman Theatre, brings this enduring classic full circle in the most unexpected way possible—as a genuine family affair that showcases not just the play’s timeless appeal, but also the remarkable trajectory of one of Northern Ireland’s most respected acting dynasties.
At the heart of this production’s unique appeal is the involvement of Ian McElhinney, the veteran actor whose recent years have seen him transition from respected character actor to household name. While many know him as the stern patriarch Grandda Joe McCool in the beloved DERRY GIRLS, McElhinney’s career spans decades of distinguished work across stage and screen. His surprise cameo appearance in *Stones In His Pockets*, alongside his wife Marie Jones herself, adds an unexpected layer of authenticity to a play that has always been about the intersection of performance and reality.
McElhinney’s presence in the production feels particularly poignant given his own journey through the entertainment industry. Having built his reputation through meticulous character work in productions ranging from GAME OF THRONES to countless Irish theatre productions, he understands intimately the world Jones created—one where local talent is often reduced to stereotypical roles while outsiders profit from romanticized versions of Irish culture. His cameo, brief though it may be, carries the weight of an actor who has navigated both sides of this equation throughout his career.
The production itself, directed by Matthew McElhinney (Jones’ son), attempts to modernize the classic with digital projection backdrops and contemporary references, though these updates create an occasionally jarring disconnect. While the insertion of Amazon Prime references feels forced alongside the play’s otherwise period sensibilities, the core story remains devastatingly effective. Gerard McCabe and Shaun Blaney deliver bravura performances as Charlie and Jake, the two extras whose dreams and disillusionment drive the narrative forward. McCabe’s transformation into the flirtatious leading lady Caroline Giovanni with nothing more than an imaginary hair flick demonstrates the kind of theatrical magic that makes this play endure.
Yet it’s the tragic undercurrent that gives STONES IN HIS POCKETS its lasting power. Beneath the comedy lies a story about economic desperation, rural decline, and the human cost of being treated as disposable. The play’s title references a heartbreaking event that serves as the emotional climax, and while this production doesn’t quite nail the tonal shift from comedy to pathos, the underlying themes remain potent. The fictional film-within-a-play, THE QUIET VALLEY, serves as a perfect metaphor for how Irish culture is often packaged and sold back to the world as something quaint and harmless.
The production’s most satisfying moment comes in its final flourish—a trailer for Charlie and Jake’s own movie featuring several well-known faces, providing the kind of Hollywood ending that feels both earned and subversive. It’s a reminder that STONES IN HIS POCKETS has always been about more than cultural commentary; it’s about the universal human desire for recognition and the stories we tell ourselves about success.
For Ian McElhinney, whose recent career renaissance has included everything from the blood-soaked political machinations of GAME OF THRONES to the gentle humor of DERRY GIRLS, this return to Marie Jones’ work represents a homecoming of sorts. His involvement, however brief, connects the play’s original vision with its contemporary relevance, bridging the gap between the Ireland of thirty years ago and the one audiences see today.
As STONES IN HIS POCKETS continues its run at the Everyman Theatre through August 10th, it serves as both entertainment and time capsule, a reminder that some stories transcend their original moment to become permanent fixtures in our cultural landscape. With the McElhinney family’s involvement, this production becomes something more—a testament to the enduring power of Irish storytelling and the artists who continue to shape it across generations.
📺 NEW TRAILER ALERT 📺
Premiering Aug 28, THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB follows four retirees who spend their time solving cold case murders for fun - based on @misterosman’s bestselling novel.
Visit irishfilmtv.com for more!
🎭 LEGEND RETURNS TO THE STAGE 🎭
From Mad-Eye Moody to Uncle Pastuzo, Brendan Gleeson has captivated us on screen for decades. Now he`s making his WEST END DEBUT in THE WEIR! Dublin first (Aug 8-Sep 6) then London`s Harold Pinter Theatre (Sep 12-Dec 6).
More at irishfilmtv.com.
🎭 From beloved DERRY GIRL to Chekhov star!
Saoirse-Monica Jackson is trading the screen for the stage in Kabosh`s bold new adaptation of THREE SISTERS at @gaiety_theatre.
Visit irishfilmtv.com for ticket links!
Liam Neeson just crushed it as Frank Drebin Jr. in THE NAKED GUN and now he`s diving headfirst into horror comedy with COLD STORAGE.
At 72, Neeson is still choosing the wildest projects and we`re absolutely here for it. COLD STORAGE hits theaters next year!
Watch the crazy trailer at irishfilmtv.com.
NEW trailer alert! 🎬 From STAR WARS galaxies to Ohio newsrooms!
Domhnall Gleeson is trading his General Hux uniform for editor-in-chief duties in THE PAPER - @peacock!`s brilliant new spin on THE OFFICE universe.
Premiering Sep 4, watch trailer at irishfilmtv.com.
From the Scottish Highlands to the boxing ring 🥊✨
Caitriona Balfe trades tartan for training gloves in THE CUT, Sean Ellis` brutal psychological boxing drama.
Our OUTLANDER queen steps WAY outside her comfort zone as Caitlin - wife, trainer, and witness to Orlando Bloom`s obsessed fighter spiraling toward self-destruction.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
🎵 "Music to scare priests and politicians" 🎵
@celtic_utopia is shaking up everything you thought you knew about Irish folk music. This isn`t your typical Celtic sound— it`s raw, rebellious, and revolutionary.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
DERRY GIRLS and GAME OF THRONES star Ian McElhinney hits the stage at @theeverymancork!
Running until Aug 10th - STONES IN HIS POCKETS has heart, humor, and a Hollywood ending that`ll leave you grinning! 🎭
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Hollywood heavyweights Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander as... otherworldly beings? 👀
Na Hong-jin is BACK! After 10 years since THE WAILING left us speechless, the master of psychological horror returns with HOPE - hitting theaters next summer!
More at irishfilmtv.com.
🎬 From "I will find you" to "I will make you laugh" - Liam Neeson is trading his particular set of skills for punchlines in THE NAKED GUN!
Is this Neeson`s Leslie Nielsen moment? Could we be witnessing the birth of comedy`s newest unlikely hero?
More at irishfilmtv.com.
Andrew Scott`s BLUE MOON trailer released!
Shot in Ireland, this Richard Linklater gem pairs Scott with Ethan Hawke for a 1943 Broadway drama that`s already being called a masterpiece. Scott plays composer Richard Rodgers in what critics are calling his most nuanced performance yet 🎵
Watch trailer at irishfilmtv.com.
🎩✨ Daryl McCormack is trading modern drama for Regency romance! The GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE star has officially joined Netflix`s PRIDE AND PREJUDICE adaptation as the charming Mr. Bingley 💕
From intimate character studies to Jane Austen`s ballrooms - this Irish talent continues to prove his incredible range! He`ll be swooning alongside Emma Corrin, Jack Lowden, and Olivia Colman in what promises to be THE period drama event of 2025 👑
More at irishfilmtv.com.
🔥 @sarahbolger is bringing Irish fire to Hell`s Kitchen! 🔥
The MAYANS MC star just landed a killer role in MGM+`s THE WESTIES - a gritty crime series about NYC`s most notorious Irish gang.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
🌊 WOKEN: When you wake up on a remote Irish island with no memory, surrounded by "loved ones" you don`t recognize... and that`s just the beginning 😱
@mr_friel `s atmospheric thriller serves up classic ingredients: windswept Irish cliffs, flickering candlelight, and Maxine Peake being suspiciously kind.
Stream now on @mubi.
🎬 Paul Mescal is about to make us all cry again... and we`re here for it 😭
From NORMAL PEOPLE to gladiator to heartbreaking folk song collector – is there anything this man can`t do?
THE HISTORY OF SOUND hits theaters September 19. Consider this your tissue warning ⚠️
Trailer now at irishfilmtv.com.
