Solas Nua

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“Murphy’s Drunkard is a triumph. Humour abounds... Brilliant.”
- The Examiner (Ireland)

WHERE:
Georgetown University’s Devine Theatre in the new Davis Arts Center,
37th & O St. NW WDC

WHEN:
PAY WHAT YOU CAN PREVIEWS
Wednesday, July 11 at 8pm
Thursday, July 12 at 8pm

OPENING NIGHT!
Friday, July 13 at 8pm
Saturday, July 14 at 8pm
Sunday, July 15 at 3pm

THE ONLY SHOW RUNNING ALL 10 DAYS OF
THE CAPITAL FRINGE FESTIVAL!
July 20 through July 29
Shows at 8pm except Sundays at 3pm

AUGUST 2nd - AUGUST 5th
Thurs. - Sat. @ 8pm - Sun. at 3pm

Featuring
Stephanie Roswell, Patrick Bussink, Jonathon Church, Steven Hoochuk, Jake Koenig, Betsy Rosen, Julia Stemper and Jesse Terrill

Production Team
Robbie Hayes (Lighting), Deb Sivigny (Scenic Design), Susan Mason (Props), Frank Labovitz (Costumes)

The Play
An adaptation of the 19th century American temperance play of the same name, Tom Murphy’s adaptation transfers the action to rural Ireland in the 1800s, layering the original work’s moral core with the contemporaneous Irish politics of the Land League and tenants rights. Using the play’s melodramatic structure to full advantage, Murphy has great fun with the language, sending up every stereotype of the Irish ever conceived. But at its heart, this is still a story or good and evil, and as our hero Rencelaw faces off against the underhand McGinty, the play’s roots in pantomime and vaudeville become apparent. Extremely witty and irreverent, with a true battle for justice at its core, Tom Murphy’s adaptation revitalizes The Drunkard and makes it relevant for modern audiences.

The Playwright
Considered by many to be Ireland's greatest living playwright, Tom Murphy was honoured by the Abbey Theatre in 2001 by a retrospective season of six of his plays. Younger playwrights whose work shows an indebtedness to him include Conor McPherson, Martin McDonagh and Gary Mitchell. Previous plays include A Whistle in the Dark, Famine, The Sanctuary Lamp, The Blue Macushla, The Informer, The Gigli Concert, Bailegangaire, The Wake and The Alice Trilogy. He has been honoured with many awards in Ireland throughout his long career and has won the Irish Times award for Best New Play on countless occasions, most recently in 2006 for The Alice Trilogy.