Shrek, Cripple of Inishmaan

Shrek, The Cripple of Inishmaan, and a visit to the Players Club

by Richard Seff Read more

Love, Peace and Robbery

Love, Peace, and Robbery
By Liam Heylin
Produced by Keegan Theatre’s New Island Project
Directed by Kerry Waters Lucas
Reviewed by Tim Treanor

Crafted devotedly in truth and detail, Love, Peace and Robbery is theater stripped to its essence: fine actors showing the heartbreaking consequentiality of everyday acts. Darren (Matthew Keenan) and Gary (Eric Lucas) are low-level thugs, of a type immediately recognizable. They are too dim to be successful criminals and too impatient to be honest men, and so they are the only things they can be: career unsuccessful criminals. Read more

Glengarry Glen Ross

Glengarry Glen Ross
By David Mamet
Directed by Jeremy Skidmore
Produced by Keegan Theatre
Reviewed by Steven McKnight

Keegan Theatre’s Glengarry Glen Ross is an example of how the stars can occasionally align to produce a truly memorable experience.  This top-notch production of David Mamet’s profane yet literate play about desperate real estate salesmen would be a treat under any circumstance.  When you add in the special resonance that results from the current economic climate, the result ranks among the finest theatrical events of the year. Read more

Dublin Carol

Dublin Carol
By Conor McPherson
Directed by Jack Sbarbori
Produced by Quotidian Theatre Company
Reviewed by Steven McKnight

Conor McPherson’s Dublin Carol consists of three scenes set in the office of assistant funeral director John Plunkett (John Decker) in Dublin on Christmas Eve.  The office is a nice creation by set designer Jack Sbarbori, just cluttered enough to be convincing and authentic in every touch, even down to the Aer Lingus coffee mug. Read more

The Playboy of the Western World

The Shadow of the Glen &The Playboy of the Western World
by John Millington Synge
directed by Garry Hynes
A DRUID Theatre Company production, presented by The Kennedy Center
reviewed by Steven McKnight

If you think the work of early 20th century Irish playwright John Millington Synge is merely broad comedies about Irish peasants, The Druid Theatre Company of Galway, Ireland will likely change your mind.  Their superlative performances in The Shadow of the Glen and particularly The Playboy of the Western World capture the voice of a playwright that was both authentic and modern, and demonstrate a depth of character found only in the finest theatre. Read more

Stones in His Pockets

• Stones In His Pockets
• By Marie Jones
• Directed by Kerry Waters Lucas
• Produced by Keegan Theatre’s New Island Project
• Reviewed by Steven McKnight

Can hopes and dreams be dangerous?  Stones in His Pockets starts as a witty little satire about a small Irish village used as backdrop for a Hollywood film then evolves into a darker and richer story. Read more

Trad

• Trad
• By Mark Doherty
• Directed by Linda Murray
• Produced by Solas Nua
• Reviewed by Steven McKnight

Trad (short for “tradition,” one of its overarching themes) is a brilliant Irish stew of surreal comedy, touching drama, clever satire, and thoughtful allegory.  Solas Nua presents a professional and charming production of Mark Doherty’s award-winning play. Read more

Made In China

• Made in China
• By Mark O’Rowe
• Directed by Colin Hovde
• Produced by Solas Nua
• Reviewed by Ronnie Ruff

When it comes to cutting edge Irish theatre, it does not get much better than Solas Nua. Their 2005 production of Mark O’Rowe’s Howie The Rookie was a fabulous production that had humor, violence and rollercoaster like excitement - Irish story telling at its best.

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Scenes from the Big Picture

By Owen McCafferty

Produced by Solas Nua and Tinderbox Theatre Company (Belfast)

Directed by Des Kennedy

Reviewed by Tim Treanor

In Mojo/Mickybo, Owen McCafferty’s two-man tragedy staged by Keegan last January, Belfast bled all over the stage, as the City’s ceaseless Catholic-Protestant conflict made mincemeat out of two young boys’ friendship, and out of everything else.  Rona Munro mined similar territory in last year’s Bold Girls, and many other writers have explored the same thing.  Indeed, a theatrical company could easily plan a full season around staged examinations of The Troubles, and how they have robbed life of value in that benighted land. Read more

Callie Kimball Talks with Big Picture Director

Belfast director Des Kennedy is in town to direct his first U. S. production, Solas Nua’s Scenes from the Big Picture by Owen McCafferty (Mojo/ Mickybo). Callie Kimball, popular DC playwright and actress, leads Des in a lively conversation about the day-in-Belfast play, his take on American actors, his unusual techniques for rehearsing Big Picture’s 21 member cast, and the role The Laramie Project has played on his career. Finally, the 24-year director shares his discoveries in theater and upcoming projects.

Listen here.

Or play by clicking on the speaker icon

Scenes from the Big Picture runs through June 24^th at the Callan Theatre, Catholic University. For more information, visit the Solas Nua website.

(Run time: 18:57)

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