Synopsis

A small, cluttered therapy office in Dublin, filled with the nervous energy of new beginnings and painful endings.

Ian, a former priest turned therapist, finds himself at a crossroads as he navigates the complexities of his personal and professional life. As he prepares to leave Dublin for a fresh start in Limerick with his fiancée and child, Ian grapples with the ghosts of his past and the raw, messy realities of human connection. Through a series of intense therapy sessions with John, a man haunted by grief and guilt, and encounters with Laurence, a young male prostitute, Ian is forced to confront his own vulnerabilities and the blurred lines between healer and patient.

McPherson’s play is a haunting exploration of guilt, loneliness, and the search for redemption in a world where the boundaries between the living and the dead, the real and the imagined, are constantly shifting. Through spare, naturalistic dialogue and moments of searing honesty, he delves into the psychological landscapes of characters struggling to make sense of their lives and choices. The play’s structure, moving between different therapy sessions and personal encounters, creates a sense of intimacy and claustrophobia, mirroring the characters’ internal struggles. “Shining City” offers a poignant and often unsettling look at the human need for connection and the power of confession, set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Ireland.