Methuen Drama Rough Magic Theatre Company: New Irish Plays and Adaptations, 2010-2018: 22 (Methuen Drama Play Collections)

Celebrating the work of one of Ireland's most daring theatre companies, this anthology gathers five plays by established and emerging playwrights. They include vibrant new adaptations of the world classics Peer Gyntand Phaedra alongside vital new dramas that explore issues of urgent contemporary concern, such as sex and sexuality, emigration and climate change. With contributions from Hilary Fannin and Ellen Cranitch, Arthur Riordan, Sonya Kelly, Morna Regan, and Shane Mac an Bhaird - as well as a foreword from Booker Prize-winning novelist Anne Enright - this book is an exciting snapshot of contemporary Irish playwriting. The book operates as a showcase of outstanding new Irish playwriting, blending work by established and emerging playwrights, and also acts as a celebration of one of Ireland's most important theatre companies. And it includes new plays that demonstrate Rough Magic's consistent willingness to push the boundaries of Irish theatre, both formally and thematically, in plays that cover such topics as sex and sexuality, emigration and climate change. About the Author Hilary Fannin (b. 1962) worked for many years as an actress both on stage and in television. A founder member of Wet Paint Arts theatre company, her first play, Mackerel Sky, was performed at the Bush Theatre (1997). She has written two radio plays: Red Feathers, and Dear Exile, both broadcast by BBC Radio 4. Sleeping Around, co-written with Stephen Greenhorn, Abi Morgan and Mark Ravenhill, was produced by Paines Plough, London in 1998, while Red Ball, which was commissioned by the Abbey Theatre's Education and Outreach Department, was performed by the National Association of Youth Drama in 2004. Fannin was joint Writer-in-Association at the Abbey Theatre for the centenary year.Arthur Riordan is a playwright, actor and founding member of Rough Magic Theatre Company. His plays include: The Train which premiered at the Dublin Theatre Festival and was revived at the Abbey Theatre in April 2017; Slattery's Sago Saga, 2010; Peer Gynt, 2011; Improbable Frequency, 2004; and Shooting Gallery, 2006. His radio plays include Love Me?! and Lot's Mother-in-Law.Sonya Kelly is an Irish writer and actor. She has performed with all the major Irish companies including the Gate Theatre, Druid Theatre and The Corn Exchange and Fishamble: the new play company. She is a cast member of RTE's hugely successful, sketch show, The Savage Eye. Her debut solo show, The Wheelchair on My Face: a look back at a myopic childhood, won a Scotsman Fringe First Award for new writing at the Edinburgh Fringe 2012. The show played 150 performances in over 50 venues and toured to Paris and New York where it received a Critic's Pick in the New York Times.Patrick Lonergan is Professor of Drama and Theatre Studies at National University of Ireland in Galway.