Abbey Theatre - Amharclann na Mainistreach

The Abbey Theatre is delighted to announce its forthcoming season of productions which are diverse, thrilling and support the Abbey Theatre’s ambition of continuing to engage and collaborate with the finest theatre artists in Ireland as well as internationally. Ireland’s national theatre begins its new season with an exceptional production of Henrik Ibsen’s, JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN in a new version by Frank McGuinness, on the Abbey stage. Directed by James Macdonald, Ibsen’s devastating and darkly comic play will star Alan Rickman as Borkman, Fiona Shaw as his wife Gunhild and Lindsay Duncan as her twin sister Ella. The outstanding cast also includes Cathy Belton, John Kavanagh, Amy Molloy, Marty Rea and Joan Sheehy. With costumes designed by Emmy-winning designer, Joan Bergin, this fiercely relevant play explores the sacrifices made in the pursuit of power and success.

On the Peacock stage, B FOR BABY by gifted new playwright Carmel Winters will have its world premiere. Directed by Mikel Murfi, B FOR BABY is a sharp-witted new play that tenderly touches the taboo and invites you to rediscover the joy of make-believe. Set in a care facility where ‘B’ and ‘D’ are residents, B FOR BABY is Winter’s first ever play professionally produced. Both productions appear as part of the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival 2010 programme.

Following productions by both Gúna Nua/Civic Theatre and Druid Theatre, the Abbey Theatre continues to invite companies to present work of excellence on its stages. The Abbey Theatre will present The Corn Exchange production of FREEFALL by Michael West, directed by Annie Ryan for a short run on the main stage. FREEFALL was a hit in its premiere run in the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival 2009 and went on to win Best Director and Best New Play at the Irish Times Theatre Awards. Michael West is also under commission by the Abbey Theatre.

Continuing the season of diverse and dynamic work, for one week in November on the Peacock stage is WHOLE WORLD ROUND presented by Maureen Kennelly in association with Spool. This is a unique evening with renowned best-selling novelist Joseph O’Connor in conversation with musician, filmmaker and broadcaster Philip King. Look forward to lots of chat, readings, reflections, rhyming, some songs and a special guest to join in every evening.

Christmas at the Abbey Theatre will see Mikel Murfi making his directorial debut on the main stage with a production of ARRAH NA POGUE by Dion Boucicault. Set in the Wicklow Mountains during 1798, this rollicking good tale of romance and misadventure will be delightful entertainment for all the family. The play last seen on the Abbey stage in the early 1970’s will star Aaron Monaghan and Mary Murray in the lead roles and will have live music composed and performed by Conor Linehan.

One of Europe’s most extraordinarily versatile artists, James Thiérrée will perform his solo show RAOUL on the main stage in the New Year. 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. This highly anticipated production continues the Abbey Theatre’s exploration of contemporary circus from across the world.

Also in the New Year, the Abbey Theatre is delighted to be staging two new commissions by leading theatre artist and writer/director Paul Mercier to play in repertory on the main stage. THE PASSING and THE EAST PIER are companion pieces and form an innovative and exciting part of the new season. Both plays will be presented in rep and it will be possible to see both in the one day (Saturdays). THE PASSING is a tender and reflective new play that looks at the memories and long buried emotions of a family selling their home. THE EAST PIER is a poignant and insightful portrait into the dreams, fears, failings and opportunities that course through our lives.

In addition to productions in Ireland, the Abbey Theatre will tour extensively in America in 2011 with the help and support of Culture Ireland. The Abbey Theatre production of Henrik Ibsen’s JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN in a new version by Frank McGuinness will receive its US premiere in New York, in January 2011, continuing the Abbey Theatre’s commitment to showcase the work of the national theatre abroad. TERMINUS, the critically-acclaimed play written and directed by Mark O’Rowe will visit theatres in cities across the US including Boston, Middlebury, Philadelphia, Durham, Norfolk, Chicago, Maryland and Columbus. The Abbey Theatre first toured to the US in 1911. The tour started in Boston, Massachusetts. It is fitting, as we celebrate one hundred years of touring to America, that we are starting our tour of TERMINUS by Mark O’Rowe once again in Boston.

Over the coming months the Abbey Theatre will present THE PLOUGH AND THE STARS by Sean O’Casey, one of the plays most closely associated with the theatre. The National Youth Theatre returns to the Peacock stage with a production of A DREAM PLAY by August Strindberg, in a version by Caryl Churchill. The production is directed by Jimmy Fay and the cast is taken from over 120 youth theatre members who auditioned from youth theatres all over the country. Also on the Peacock stage, Opera Theatre Company will present THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK by Grigory Frid. Vivid and insightful, this heart rendering opera recreates the world of 13 year-old Anne Frank in hiding, living in hope and fear, longing for normality for herself and her family.

As part of the literary department’s highly successful and ongoing work to nurture new writing, the New Playwrights Programme for 2010 continues on from the success of last year’s pilot initiative. The eight months intensive artistic development of the six talented and emerging playwrights runs until the 31 January 2011. The participants are Roisin Coyle, Louise Melinn, Grace Dyas, Darren Donohue, Elena Bolster and Sean Sturnick.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Mary Hanafin T.D., said, “The Abbey Theatre is one of the most iconic cultural institutions in Ireland and I am delighted to see the varied and exciting programme that has been chosen for the 2010 – 2011 season. I am particularly pleased that the Abbey will be touring in the USA in 2011 and continuing the long tradition that began way back in 1911. In this way the Abbey acts as a cultural ambassador for Ireland and reminds people overseas of the wonderful literary and dramatic talent of our country. I want to wish the Abbey Theatre well with their programme and I hope that the audiences at home and abroad will enjoy the variety of productions.”

Director of the Abbey Theatre, Fiach Mac Conghail, said, “I am extremely proud that in these difficult times I can announce such a diverse range of productions and our ongoing work to improve the experience of theatre – and the national theatre in particular – for all our patrons. Our next season continues our commitment to Irish writers with Frank McGuinness, Paul Mercier and Carmel Winters and also our look at contemporary Irish society with JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN. We are also proud to fulfill our mission by touring TERMINUS and JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN to the US, 100 years on from our first trip. I am also delighted to welcome The Corn Exchange to the Abbey with the award-winning production of FREEFALL by Michael West.

The Abbey Theatre has taken its responsibility seriously as Ireland’s national theatre. We are providing a programme of quality, inspiration and imagination to the Irish public. We remain true to our promise that we offer citizens the best of Irish theatre at affordable prices.”
The Abbey Theatre gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council / An Comhairle Ealaíon.

Booking opens for members on Tuesday 29 June 2010.
General booking opens on Saturday 10 July.
Booking on +353 1 87 87 222 & http://www.abbeytheatre.ie