Thomas Kilroy’s new play for the Abbey is an awkward work, marred by obviousness and by the tired, cumbersome conceit of relying on twentysomethings to play fifteen-year-olds. And yet it is also a foundation myth for 21st century Ireland, eschewing the minor notes of nuance in favour of the major chords of sweeping social drama…. read more +

Ten years ago, the British theatre impresario Michael Kustow issued an impassioned plea for the theatre, in a book with the now quaint title, ‘Theatre@Risk’. Faced with the overwhelming forces of both the internet and global capital, Kustow wondered, would theatre survive? It seemed for a while during this decade that Irish theatre makers were… read more +

Published in the Sunday Tribune, July 6, 2008 In the Gents before opening night of ‘The Sanctuary Lamp’, two gentlemen were recalling the original production of the play, from 1975. This is a particular habit of Tom Murphy’s audiences, and it is difficult to leave a Tom Murphy play without overhearing at least one conversation… read more +