An Abbey Theatre production
An Octoroon
21 April - 14 May 2022
Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike
Booking Information
Dates: 21 April – 14 May
Previews: 21 – 23 April
Times: Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Sat matinee 2pm
Tickets: €15 – €45
Running time: 2hrs 40 Minutes including an interval
Age recommendation: 14+
Content Advice:
An Octoroon uses caricatures and racial comedy to challenge societal conventions. It features murders, racial violence, and obscene language, including the N-word.
Touch Tour: The Audio Described performance includes a free Touch Tour for Visually Impaired patrons and their companions to explore the set, costumes and props. To book, contact grace.mckiernan@abbeytheatre.ie or call 01 87 87 222.
Sign language interpreted performance: Thursday 5 May, 7:30pm
Audio-described and captioned performance: Saturday 14 May, 2:00pm
Touch Tour of Stage and Set: Saturday 14 May, 12:00pm
‘Hi everyone, I'm a black playwright. Now I don't know what that means but I'd like to tell you a story.’
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ radical reboot of Irish playwright, Dion Boucicault’s notorious 1859 play The Octoroon became “this decade’s most eloquent statement on race in America today.” (The New York Times)
Both old and new, both disturbing and hilarious, the original storyline of this flawed Irish classic is remixed into a bigger, wilder, more subversive version.
The Peyton’s failing Louisiana plantation is in financial ruins. Everything and everyone they own is going to be auctioned. Can Zoe escape the clutches of the devious Jacob McClosky?
After productions in New York and London, the Abbey Theatre presents the Irish premiere of An Octoroon in Boucicault’s hometown. What might it mean for Ireland today?
Find out more about this production in our digital programme.
Audio-described Programme Notes
Download the audio-described programme notes here, or listen to them below.
Trailer
Audience Response
See two shows for €40
This spring, you can see both Luck Just Kissed You Hello and An Octoroon for just €40, when you book both tickets at the same time. See more information here.
Reviews
★★★★★
'a masterpiece'
The Irish Times
★★★★★
'hilarious, inventive, irreverent, and challenging.'
Irish Examiner
★★★★★
'one of the best nights of theatre you'll have this year.'
The Arts Review
★★★★
'brilliantly funny performances'
Sunday Times
★★★★
'It’s funny, tragic, and a blistering critique of racial attitudes in America'
The Irish Mail on Sunday
'extraordinary, outrageous and thought-provoking production.'
Business Post
'this production, directed with fierce political fervour by Anthony Simpson Pike, is as slick and lively as anyone could hope.'
Sunday Independent
'Don’t miss this great show; it is rollicking entertainment.'
Irish Independent
Credits
- Assistant/ Pete/ Paul: Jolly Abraham
- Br'er Rabbit/ Captain Ratts: Loré Adewusi
- Dido: Mara Allen
- Cellist: Satin Beige
- BJJ / George/ M'Closky: Patrick Martins
- Zoe: Umi Myers
- Grace: Jeanne Nicole Ní Ainle
- Playwright / Wahnotee / Lafouche: Rory Nolan
- Dora: Maeve O’Mahony
- Minnie: Leah Walker
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