by Richard F. Stockton
additional material & original concept by Richard T. Herd
directed by Ciarán O’Reilly
May 14- July 6, 2008
Prisoner of the Crown is the riveting story of the trial of Sir Roger Casement, an Irish patriot and one of the world’s great humanitarians. A few short years after being knighted, Casement was sentenced to be hanged for treason in what was called “The Trial of the Century.” The sensational trial was tainted by the presence of the “Black Diaries” an alleged explicit account of Casement’s promiscuous homosexual lifestyle. Were the diaries real? Or, were they, as many believed, forged by the crown forces determined that he pay the ultimate price for his role in the Easter 1916 uprising? The play, set in the jury room of the Old Bailey and in the minds of the jury, features 49 characters and paints a captivating picture of heroism, passion, and manipulative deception.
“EIGHT SKILLED ACTORS HANDLE DOZENS OF ROLES, AND THE TRANSITIONS AMONG THE PLAY’S MULTIPLE SETTINGS ARE MARVELS OF STAGECRAFT” – THE NEW YORKER
“In a new play, the paradox of Roger Casement haunts the Irish Rep IN A SHARP, SNAPPILY PACED PRODUCTION by Ciarán O’Reilly. Philip Goodwin, pale and grave, embodies (Casement) persuasively at the head of A SOLIDLY EFFECTIVE CAST THAT ZIPS FROM ROLE TO ROLE WITH EASE, aided by Brian Nason’s swiftly changing lights.” – VILLAGE VOICE
“INGENIOUSLY STAGED AND MAGNIFICENTLY ACTED.” -CURTAIN UP
“STRONG CAST TO BRING THIS REMARKABLE PLAY TO LIFE – IRISH VOICE
“Prisoner of the Crown is an ENGROSSING and solidly acted brief for the defense. Director Ciarán O’Reilly adds a few stylized touches around the edges, particularly during scene transitions, but for the most part this is straightforward, socially conscious docudrama, with its tense jury-room scenes strongly reminiscent of Twelve Angry Men. THE ACTORS ALL DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES IN MULTIPLE ROLES, though the most rousing moments come courtesy of John Windsor-Cunningham as Casement’s principal tormentor and Tim Ruddy as his passionate defense attorney.” – BACKSTAGE
“O’Reilly manages to keep the history and the details of Casement’s story crystal clear despite the complexity. His inventiveness combines with the GENERAL HIGH QUALITY OF MUCH OF THE ACTING to produce not only a really satisfying evening of theatre, but a truly instructive one as well.” – IRISH ECHO