Irish Repertory Theatre presents the World Premiere
on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage
By Ciara Elizabeth Smyth
Directed by Nicola Murphy Dubey
Starring Kate Burton, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Kevin Oliver Lynch, Brenda Meaney, and Angela Reed, with voiceover work by Roger Clark.
“We could just devise an Irish play… How hard could it be?”
The Irishtown Players, a celebrated Dublin-based theatre company, have just started rehearsals for their new play. After the astounding success of their last production, the company are scheduled to open on Broadway, with the same visionary playwright at the helm. However, trouble arises when the actors decide she’s going too dark, too experimental, and… not Irish enough? Taking matters into their own hands, the company fights to restore the Hibernian flair. Irishtown is a hilarious and searing new comedy that explores the commercialization of culture, inviting audiences to experience the fragile creative process and the potential collapse of a collective.
Recommended for audiences 16+.
WICKEDLY FUNNY. Friel, O’Casey, Walsh, Beckett…NO ONE IS SAFE from this epic ribbing, which rechristens the Irish Rep in laughter. – Zachary Stewart, Theatermania
Irishtown is BOLD, and VERY ORIGINAL. Saoirse-Monica Jackson displays FINE STAGE CHOPS as the ingenue Siofra. Kevin Oliver Lynch’s dry delivery and bizarre attempts at Irish dialects, it’s a LAUGH OUT LOUD PERFORMANCE. – Roma Torre, New York Stage Review
RIP ROARING HILARITY. A play that takes affectionate aim at the rich tradition of Irish theater. Kate Burton is delightful in her role. A LAUGH TIL-YOU-CRY spoof. – Juliet Hindle, Exeunt
A REALLY ENJOYABLE, LIGHT-HEARTED, RAUCOUS COMEDY. Guaranteed to have you GRINNING AND GIGGLING FROM START TO FINISH. Comedy is hard work, and they made it look effortless. – Paola Bellu, Stage and Cinema
This production is supported by Culture Ireland.
Content Warning: This production contains dark comedic themes and some references to incest, sexual assault, and infant loss.