PLAYS AND WHISPERINGS OF LADY GREGORY
in the W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre
By Lady Augusta Gregory
With additional material by Ciarán O’Reilly
Directed by Ciarán O’Reilly
With Úna Clancy, Terry Donnelly, John Keating, and James Russell
Lady Augusta Isabelle Gregory was the grand dame of Irish Theatre. Today, she is remembered as co-founder of The Abbey Theatre in Dublin and for turning her Galway home, Coole Park, into the mecca of the Irish Literary Revival. Here she nurtured many of the great writers of the Irish Renaissance including WB Yeats, Sean O’Casey, and JM Synge. She was also the author of over forty plays and numerous translations and books of Irish folklore.
Lady G – an intimate Irish Rep production developed from Lady Gregory’s personal writings and overlooked plays – will explore the truth behind the legend. Beneath the public persona of a dour Victorian widow lies a passionate heart and a wry sense of humor. Her plays “Workhouse Ward” and “McDonough’s Wife“ showcase her playful yet tender vision of Ireland and her people.
Irish Repertory Theatre is excited to explore the work and life of Lady Gregory through this original production by Ciarán O’Reilly. Two of Lady Gregory’s original works will be staged as part of this evening: “The Workhouse Ward” premiered at The Abbey Theatre in 1908, and “McDonough’s Wife” premiered as “MacDaragh’s Wife“ at The Abbey Theatre in 1912; it has not been produced in the US in over 100 years.