Author: Ruben Kenig

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Productions

Druid Theatre: Three Short Comedies by Seán O’Casey

Druid is back on the road with three short comedies by the great Irish playwright Seán O’Casey.

Playing in  Galway, Dublin, Kilkenny or Wexford for these classic rip-roaring one-act plays.

A Pound on Demand is the tale of Jerry and Sammy who badly need a quick injection of cash to continue their night on the town.

In Bedtime Story, poor John Jo Mulligan learns the hard way that inviting members of the opposite sex to Miss Mossie’s lodging house comes with serious consequences.

All hell breaks loose in The End of the Beginning when Darry Berrill and his wife Lizzie agree to swap their household roles – and that’s before Darry’s clumsy friend Barry arrives.

These short tales of misadventure will be directed by Garry Hynes and performed by Druid ensemble members Aaron Monaghan, Rory Nolan and Marty Rea with Venetia Bowe, Liam Heslin and Sarah Morris.

GALWAY | The Mick Lally Theatre | 29 Nov – 4 Dec
Book Galway Tickets

DUBLIN | Pavilion Theatre | 8 – 11 Dec
Book Dublin Tickets

KILKENNY | Watergate Theatre | 14 – 15 Dec
Book Kilkenny Tickets

WEXFORD | Jerome Hynes Theatre, National Opera House | 17 – 18 Dec
Book Wexford Tickets

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Productions

Juno and the Paycock: Reviews for the Irish Repertory Theater

Maryann Plunkett and Ciarán O’Reilly bring a Sean O’Casey classic to life with ‘Juno and the Paycock’ at the Irish Repertory Theatre.

Following on from the very positive reception for Shadow of a Gunman, the second production of the O’Casey season at the Irish Repertory Theater, Juno and the Paycock, has also received many glowing reviews. The production runs as part of the Irish Repertory Theater’s Sean O’Casey Season until 25th May. Click here for more information and to book tickets.

Newsweek

Juno is a masterpiece of 20th-century drama, and this production, with its great ensemble acting and expert direction, brings out its best qualities. Everything about Irish Rep’s O’Casey season has met its high expectations, and one can hardly wait for April 20, when The Plough and the Stars starts performances.

Time Out

Under the meticulously calibrated direction of Neil Pepe… this production is a gem of Irish realism, expertly transitioning from humorous banter to life-altering epiphanies.

New York Stage Review

… superb, searing revival.

The New Yorker

O’Casey presents a complex mixture of comedy, politics, song, and mourning, and the director, Neil Pepe, fashions it movingly.

Theatermania

Performed by a dynamic cast led by Ciarán O’Reilly and Maryann Plunkett, Pepe’s take feels fresh and relevant while remaining faithful to O’Casey’s nearly 100-year-old play.

Theater Time

[M]ay I direct your attention to a gem of a revival playing at the Irish Rep with some truly unforgettable performances. Sean O’ Casey’s “Juno and the Paycock” is one of the highlights of this current season.

Click here for more information and to book tickets

Categories
Productions

Shadow of a Gunman: Reviews for the Irish Repertory Theater

The critical response to Ciaran O’Reilly’s Shadow of a Gunman is overwhelmingly positive. Many papers and blogs have given the production rave reviews. The production runs as part of the Irish Repertory Theater’s Sean O’Casey Season until 25th May. Click here for more information and to book tickets.

The New York Times

[W]hen the play takes its uncorrectable skid into tragedy, there’s enough dramatic force to make you feel for the characters, even the ones you laughed at. At nearly 100 years old, O’Casey’s play still packs heat.

Wall Street Journal

The cast is miraculously right, though none of the 10 actors appear to be “performing.” Instead, they create the wholly persuasive illusion of being a group of ordinary people who are simply living their lives.

Newsweek

O’Casey is one of Ireland and the world’s great playwrights, and his talent is on full display in this taut, swiftly paced production.

Time Out: New York

[D]irector Ciarán O’Reilly presides over an embarrassment of riches from lead to bit player.

Woman Around Town

Some authors burden the stage with characters not integral to the plot. O’Casey illuminates shades of perspective. His players are rich and symbiotic.

New York Stage Review

The general excellence of Irish Rep’s production of The Shadow of a Gunman makes one look forward to seeing the next two shows in its O’Casey Cycle. Let’s mention, finally, that the playbill features several pages of historical context as well as a glossary that theatergoers likely will find to be helpful in appreciating these classic plays.

Click here for more information and to book tickets