This autumn we are returning to the classroom with a National Tour of In Real Life  based on the comedy Spreading the News by Lady Gregory. In Real Life is a contemporary drama exploring social media and identity in the classroom. It uses Lady Gregory’s hilarious take on the dangers of rumour and pompous authority to examine how modern friendships can be threatened by careless communication and clueless adults.  

In Real Life follows First Year, Kai, as she starts at her new school. Kai, disillusioned with the move her family made to a smaller town, tries to find herself in the world of social media.  There she finds her new school’s Instagram queen, Cleo. But life online and in real life are two very different things and when Kai posts something carelessly, she learns how quickly words can take on a life of their own… especially with the school’s Talent Show just around the corner.

In Real Life showcases two actors portraying multiple characters, vividly depicting Kai and Cleo’s families, teachers, and their lives at school.

National Tour 

The Abbey performed In Real Life at schools around County Dublin last year and this year we are delighted to bring it on a National Tour to primary schools (5th and 6^th class). We provide online resources with lesson plans to help teachers both prepare and follow up on our visit.  

The National Tour will run across Mayo, Galway and Cork at the following locations on the following dates:

• 6-10 Oct in Mayo – Organised by Linenhall Theatre
• 13 – 17 Oct at Babaró in Galway
• 20 – 24 Oct Cork – Organised by the Everyman Theatre

If you would like us to perform In Real Life in your school, or have any questions please contact us at: InRealLife@abbeytheatre.ie.   

Kindly funded by an Abbey Theatre patron who wishes to remain anonymous.