Tullamore actor to feature in short play at Birr Theatre
Nomad Players present Without Apology, an evening of compelling storytelling from the pen of US writer Neil LaBute at Birr Theatre and Arts Centre on Saturday November 13th. In Without Apology, a double bill consisting of the short plays All the Ways to Say I Love You and Medea Redux, two quite different women revisit decisions they made years ago that define their lives today.
In All the Ways to Say I Love You, Mrs Johnson, a decorated high school teacher of English and drama, tells of an encounter she had 15 years ago which had – and continues to have – a shattering effect on her life. As she recounts her story, she uncovers the answer to that one question that has been keeping her awake at night - what is the weight of a lie? Neil LaBute’s powerful monologue was first performed off Broadway in 2016 starring Judith Light as Mrs Johnson. In this production, directed by Eilish Rafferty, Mrs Johnson is played by Tullamore actor Maeve O’Donovan.
In Medea Redux, a woman tells a story of first love, which for her happened when she was a junior high school student of thirteen, and of how she patiently planned her shocking revenge. AS the name suggests, the spirit of Greek tragedy imbues this piece. Medea Redux is one of three one-act plays published as Bash: Latter-day plays. It was first performed at the Douglas Fairbanks Theater, NYC in 1999 starring Calista Flockhart. Eilish Rafferty plays ‘Woman’ in the Nomad Players production, which is directed by Maeve O’Donovan.
As both plays feature teachers, it may come as no surprise that one of the founding members of Nomad Players, Maeve O’Donovan, is herself a teacher. Maeve, who is from Tullamore and teaches in the county, is a huge fan of LaBute’s writing, which tends to examine why apparently wholesome people do evil things. Nomad Players specialise in staging powerful monologues for women and have previously produced pieces from Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads series.
Without Apology, a double bill of Neil LaBute plays, is on Saturday, November 13, at 8pm at Birr Theatre and Arts Centre. Booking at www.birrtheatre.com or 057 9122911. Early booking advised.