1st Irish in NY

The New York Times recently reported on the forthcoming 1st Irish Theatre Festival, which will be going on in New York City from September 6 - 28, 2008.

Among the groups taking part in 1st Irish 2008 is the Tir Na Theater Company of Boston; it is presenting the New York premiere of the Northern Irish playwright Owen McCafferty's "Mojo Mickybo," the story of two boys, one Protestant and one Catholic, in 1970 Belfast. The Washington company Solas Nua is bringing New York its first production of Enda Walsh's "Disco Pigs," about two characters who were born on the same day. Mr. Walsh's most recent play, "The New Electric Ballroom," was a critical hit at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe. That play, Charles Isherwood wrote in The New York Times, "affirms Mr. Walsh's growing reputation as a contender to take his place in the long, distinguished line of great Irish playwrights."

Liam Heylin's "Love, Peace and Robbery," a three-hander about two men adjusting to life out of prison, is being presented by the Keegan Theater, also from Washington. "Ireland is changing," said Kerry Lucas, the play's director. "These plays need to be seen because there is a whole global thing happening. If the Irish are grappling with an American-type dream of success, still there are a lot of people that is not happening to."

John P. Waters, director of graduate and undergraduate Irish Studies at New York University, said, "We need to see new theater, because we have a new Ireland." Mr. Waters will participate in a panel on contemporary Irish theater at Glucksman Ireland House at New York University on Sept. 11.

"Ireland has been blessed with rapid, bewildering challenges in recent years, and drama is guiding the conversation," Mr. Waters said.

Check out the 1st Irish web site for the full listing of all the events.