Packed programme as Scripts festival underway
A packed programme of theatre, workshops and performances is in store this weekend as the annual Scripts playwriting festival continues in Birr.
The festival's 12th edition opened yesterday (Thursday). The programme of events today (Friday) begins with a free playwriting workshop led by Emily Reilly, Dramaturg at The Abbey Theatre.
Later this evening, audiences can enjoy 'The Quiet Men', written and performed by Morgan C Jones, which tells the hidden story of Dublin brothers Barry FitzGerald and Arthur Shields, who fought in the GPO during the Easter Rising before pursuing remarkable acting careers, with FitzGerald going on to win an Academy Award in Hollywood.
On Saturday, a full day of events will take place, including a children's playwriting workshop for those aged eight to twelve, a free play reading, and a workshop exploring disability-led theatre practice.
The evening programme features two performances, including 'Footnote', Irene Kelleher's acclaimed solo show, staged in a pop-up theatre on Birr's Main Street.
The festival concludes on Sunday, July 5, with Breakfast Bites, an intimate morning conversation featuring acclaimed playwright Mark O'Rowe, whose screenwriting credits include 'Normal People' and 'Terminus'.
After a rigorous selection process in the lead-up to Scripts, three playwrights were chosen to develop their work during a residential week in Birr under the mentorship of acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Eugene O’Brien (Eden, Heaven, Pure Mule).
The three selected playwrights are Liza Costello, from Moate, Westmeath, who presents 'In The Garden', Liam McCarthy (Limerick) who presents 'Mam and Love and Woo', and Elaine Maguire O’Connor (Dublin) who presents 'Lay Your Hands On Me'.
The closing event, 'Nurtured New Works', will showcase staged readings of the festival's three selected plays, performed by professional actors, before the winning playwright is announced. Scripts: Ireland's Playwriting Festival celebrates new writing and emerging theatrical talent from across Ireland and beyond.