Druid Theatre, Galway: The Silver Tassie by Sean O'Casey
From the tenements of Dublin to the trenches of World War One, The Silver Tassie is an epic dramatic work written by one of Ireland's greatest writers. The 1928 play was, famously, turned down by Yeats's Abbey Theatre, scene of Sean O'Casey's greatest triumphs, triggering the playwright's lifelong self-imposed exile from Ireland. The Silver Tassie had its first production in London's West End in 1929, in a production by Raymond Massey. Time has tended to vindicate O'Casey at the expense of Yeats' judgement, and the play is now widely seen as an expressionist masterpiece.
Directed by Garry Hynes, Druid Theatre's The Silver Tassie promises to be one of the biggest productions to tour Ireland and Britain this year. Kicking off in the Town Hall Theatre in Galway from August 21st, The Silver Tassie will also tour to Oxford and Salford in Manchester.
Garry Hynes was the first female director to win a Tony Award on Broadway, for Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane. This is her first production of an O'Casey play for Druid having previously directed Brendan Gleeson in The Plough and the Stars for the Abbey (1991), and Michael Gambon in Juno and the Paycock for Noel Pearson's production at the Gaiety Theatre (1999).
The cast is led by Derbhle Crotty, Aaron Monaghan and Eamon Morrissey. Design is by Francis O'Connor (Set, costumes), Davy Cunningham (Lighting) and John Leonard (Sound). Music is by Philip Chevron and Elliot Davis. Jack Murphy is movement director.
Tour dates: Galway - Town Hall Theatre (August 21 to September 7), Salford, Manchester - The Lowry (September 13 to 18), Oxford Playhouse (September 20 to 25), Dublin Theatre Festival - venue tbc (October 4 to 10). Additonal tour dates in Ireland, including Cork and Ennis, are likely to be added. No date has yet been announced for the start of ticket sales.
From the tenements of Dublin to the trenches of World War One, The Silver Tassie is an epic dramatic work written by one of Ireland's greatest writers. The 1928 play was, famously, turned down by Yeats's Abbey Theatre, scene of Sean O'Casey's greatest triumphs, triggering the playwright's lifelong self-imposed exile from Ireland. The Silver Tassie had its first production in London's West End in 1929, in a production by Raymond Massey. Time has tended to vindicate O'Casey at the expense of Yeats' judgement, and the play is now widely seen as an expressionist masterpiece.
Directed by Garry Hynes, Druid Theatre's The Silver Tassie promises to be one of the biggest productions to tour Ireland and Britain this year. Kicking off in the Town Hall Theatre in Galway from August 21st, The Silver Tassie will also tour to Oxford and Salford in Manchester.
Garry Hynes was the first female director to win a Tony Award on Broadway, for Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane. This is her first production of an O'Casey play for Druid having previously directed Brendan Gleeson in The Plough and the Stars for the Abbey (1991), and Michael Gambon in Juno and the Paycock for Noel Pearson's production at the Gaiety Theatre (1999).
The cast is led by Derbhle Crotty, Aaron Monaghan and Eamon Morrissey. Design is by Francis O'Connor (Set, costumes), Davy Cunningham (Lighting) and John Leonard (Sound). Music is by Philip Chevron and Elliot Davis. Jack Murphy is movement director.
Tour dates: Galway - Town Hall Theatre (August 21 to September 7), Salford, Manchester - The Lowry (September 13 to 18), Oxford Playhouse (September 20 to 25), Dublin Theatre Festival - venue tbc (October 4 to 10). Additonal tour dates in Ireland, including Cork and Ennis, are likely to be added. No date has yet been announced for the start of ticket sales.
