The Abbey Theatre's 2011 programme for the Abbey and Peacock stages announces rousing new work alongside Irish masterpieces. Productions by some of the giants of Irish theatre including Brian Friel and George Bernard Shaw will be showcased together with new voices in Irish theatre like Nancy Harris and Stacey Gregg. The Abbey Theatre continues its ambition to engage and collaborate with the finest theatre artists in Ireland as well as internationally.
Ireland's National Theatre begins its new season with a rollicking good tale of romance and misadventure in the form of ARRAH-NA-POGUE by Dion Boucicault on the Abbey stage. Set in the Wicklow Mountains during 1798 and directed by Mikel Murfi, this play last seen on the Abbey stage in the early 1970's will be delightful entertainment for all the family. This exciting new production will include live music each night performed by Conor Linehan and the excellent ensemble cast is made up of Aaron Monaghan, Ciaran O'Brien, Gerard Byrne, Gerard Walsh, Jack Walsh, JoNathan Gunning, Mary Murray, Mary O'Driscoll, Michael Glenn Murphy, Peter Daly, Peter Gowen, Peter Hanly, Rory Nolan and Ruth Lehane.
On the Peacock stage, AS YOU ARE NOW SO ONCE WERE WE by The Company and directed by José Miguel Jiménez will have a two week run. After winning the Best Production award at the 2010 ABSOLUT Fringe Festival, The Company comes to the Abbey to bring you on an odyssey through Dublin as they retrace the steps of James Joyce's Ulysses. AS YOU ARE NOW SO ONCE WERE WE is a new way to reflect on ourselves, our culture and an attempt to understand Ireland in Joyce's words: 'A nation is the same people living in the same place'.
One of Europe's most extraordinarily versatile artists, James Thiérrée will perform his solo show RAOUL on the main stage. RAOUL is a surprising and daring show in which the acrobat, clown, poet and magician mischievously teases the audience whilst demonstrating his formidable skills through delightful visual comedy. The production has been co-commissioned by The Abbey Theatre with barbicanbite09 and is presented by Crying Out Loud with the support of the French Embassy in Ireland. This highly anticipated production continues The Abbey Theatre's exploration of contemporary circus from across the world.
On the Peacock stage, the Abbey commissioned NO ROMANCE by talented new playwright Nancy Harris will have its world premiere and is also her first original work to be produced. Directed by Wayne Jordan, NO ROMANCE is a tender and very funny tale about our secret selves. Rich with the absurdities, hypocrisies and vulnerabilities that course through our lives, it playfully observes the search for connection in a fractured world. The cast will include Janet Moran, Natalie Radmall Quirke and Stella McCusker.
The Abbey Theatre is delighted to be staging two new commissions by foremost theatre artist Paul Mercier to play in repertory on the main stage. THE PASSING and EAST PIER are companion pieces and form an innovative and exciting part of the new season. THE PASSING is a tender and reflective new play that looks at the memories and long buried emotions of a family selling their home. EAST PIER is a poignant and insightful portrait into the dreams, fears, failings and opportunities that affect us. Included in the cast of THE PASSING are Andrew Connolly, Catherine Walsh and Derbhle Crotty, while EAST PIER is a two-hander performed by Andrea Irvine and Don Wycherley.
The Abbey Theatre continues to invite companies to present work of excellence on its stages. The Ark in association with Theatre Lovett presents THE GIRL WHO FORGOT TO SING BADLY by Finegan Kruckemeyer and directed by Lynne Parker on the Peacock stage. Ingenious performer Louis Lovett leads the audience on an untamed adventure that crosses snowy lands and wild seas. As Peggy desperately tries to save the day, we learn about love, loss, the reassurance of goats, and the courage to sing gloriously on or off-key. The show is suitable for ages 7+ and families.
A further exciting highlight at the National Theatre in 2011 is a new production of PYGMALION by George Bernard Shaw, which is its first time to be produced on the Abbey stage. Shaw's play is a sharp satire about class, a spirited comment on women's independence and a quick witted comedy. Director Annabelle Comyn will make her Abbey stage debut and brings a new flavor to this popular classic. Well known Irish actor Risteárd Cooper will play the role of Higgins and the costumes will be designed by leading Irish designer Peter O'Brien.
The Abbey Theatre is delighted to introduce another new voice in Irish theatre with its commission of PERVE by young playwright Stacey Gregg. PERVE will have its world premiere on the Peacock stage and will be directed by Roisin McBrinn. PERVE is compassionate and unsettling; it mourns the loss of naiveté, ambiguity and innocence in our highly sexualized world.
Finally, in June 2011, The Abbey Theatre is delighted to present TRANSLATIONS by Brian Friel and directed by Conall Morrison on the Abbey stage. More than thirty years since it was first produced, TRANSLATIONS is now regarded as a modern masterpiece. Subtle and resonant, it's a political drama, an historical tale, a funny and clever play on language and a tender love story. Renowned Irish actor Denis Conway will play the part of Hugh. Don't miss this captivating new production of one of our most important and most loved plays.
Director of The Abbey Theatre, Fiach Mac Conghail, said, "As Ireland's National Theatre, we always pride ourselves in offering our patrons a large choice of the highest quality productions. This new season is no exception, which includes big Irish classics to shows for all the family. We're thrilled to bring to the stage, four world premieres, masterpieces by Friel and Shaw, and welcome great new voices in Irish theatre in the form of Nancy Harris and Stacey Gregg. We remain true to our promise that we offer our audiences the finest Irish theatre while also supporting and encouraging the future generations of Irish theatre artists and practitioners. We are delighted with the continued support we're getting from our audiences following a tremendously successful season, proving the theatre is as popular as ever."
The organisation proudly acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council.
Online booking opens for members on Tuesday 23 November
General booking opens on Tuesday 30 November
Booking on +353 1 87 87 222 & www.abbeytheatre.ie
