Abbey Theatre - Amharclann na Mainistreach

What is unique about this relationship and award is that it encourages innovation, it expects experimentation and it quite literally buys the writer time to develop their work. Phillip McMahon is the Writer in Association for 2009-2010.

Phillip began writing in 2005. His debut play, Danny and Chantelle (still here) played two sell out runs in Dublin and was awarded the ‘Spirit of the Fringe’ award by the Dublin Fringe Festival 2006. In 2007, Phillip’s second play All Over Town was co-produced by Calipo/thisispopbaby and was nominated for the ‘Fishamble New Writing Award’. It will be revived in the Project Arts Centre in June 2009. In 2007 Phillip wrote his first short film, Round Here in conjunction with the Sheriff Street After Schools Project and Calipo Picture Company.

In 2008, Phillip wrote Investment Potential for the Abbey Theatre’s 20:LOVE season. Investment Potential was staged at Project Arts Centre as part of LOVE 2.0 at the Dublin Fringe Festival, was nominated for the Fishamble New Writing Award, and picked up the RTE audience choice award. Phillip is currently under commission by Calipo Theatre Company and is developing a television show with Element Films.

Phillip is a co-founder and director of emerging company, thisispopbaby. Thisispopbaby are a multi-platform company that tears up the space between sub-culture, counter-culture and high art. Thisispopbaby created the POP arena at Electric Picnic 2008. Phillip was a participant on the Dublin Theatre Festival’s ‘Next Stage’ programme in 2007.

Previous Abbey Theatre Writers in Association:

Stuart Carolan 2007/8
Enda Walsh 2006
Conor McPherson 2005
Hilary Fannin 2004 (abbeyonehundred)
Mark O’Rowe 2004 (abbeyonehundred)
Declan Hughes 2003
Paul Mercier 2002
Jim Nolan 2001
Billy Roche 2000
Chris Lee 1999
Thomas Kilroy 1998
Dermot Bolger 1997
Bernard Farrell 1996
Marina Carr 1995
Neil Donnelly 1994
Michael Harding 1993
Frank McGuinness 1992
Tom MacIntyre 1991
Sebastian Barry 1990
Tom Murphy 1987-1989