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Productions

The Plough and the Stars at The Abbey Theatre 2016

The Plough and the Stars will be part of the Abbey Theatre’s Waking the Nation season in 2016. Abbey Theatre Director Fiach Mac Conghail has announced a major programme of work, “to commemorate and acknowledge the major historical events of 1916”.

The season will include productions of The Plough and the Stars, directed by Sean Holmes, and Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme. In addition there will be several new works performed by writers such as David Ireland, Sean P. Summers and Phillip McMahon.

The Plough and the Stars will run at the Abbey from 9 March – 23 April 2016 and then embark on a tour of Ireland taking in Cork Opera House; The National Opera House, Wexford; Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick and Town Hall Theatre, Galway. In addition there will be a tour of North America to Harvard University’s American Repertory Theater (Massachusetts); the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts (Philadelphia); Montclair State University’s Peak Performances, (New Jersey) and Southern Theatre, (Ohio).

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News

Brian Friel, Irish Dramatist, 1929 – 2015

The death of Brian Friel is a great loss to the theatre. His contribution to the medium throughout the world and in Ireland in particular was immense. From Philadelphia, Here I Come! in the 60s through to The Home Place in 2005 his work made a significant impact.

In addition to his own original work he was a highly skilled adapter of plays, particularly of great Russian drama. His last work was an adaption of Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler. Friel made great strides in bringing wonderful work to a modern English-speaking audience.

In 1980 collaborating with actor Stephen Rea he founded Field Day Theatre Company. Field Day have played an important cultural role in Derry and throughout Ireland.

You can read more on Brian Friel in these obituaries,

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Productions

Juno and the Paycock First Production Staged at UTRGV

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is to open its first theatre season with a production of Juno and the Paycock. The Albert L Jeffers Theatre was built in 1931 but this is the first production of the newly instituted UTRGV.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Official Logo

Assistant Professor and designer Jennifer Saxton said of the choice of production,

“I think one reason we picked the play was that there were so many universal themes in it that struck us as relevant. It’s about family, and loyalty, the civil war turning neighbor against neighbor rather than uniting against an outside force now that they have left, what it means to be a mother, and the effects of poverty.”

The play will run from 7th October to11th October to If you want more information or to book tickets contact Elva Galvan at the University Theatre box office, (956) 665-3581.