DraíochtBlanchardstown presents award-winning playwright Deirdre Kinahan’s The Visit. This world premiere is directed by Veronica Coburn and opens as part of Dublin Theatre Festival, this October. Based on Kinahan’s play YES written as part of Draíocht’sground-breaking HOME THEATRE (Ireland) Project in 2018.
YES was inspired by the time Deirdre spent with Maureen Penrose, her HOME THEATRE host in 2018 and whose character Rose in that play tells a very personal story about her life. The Visit however delves deeper into Rose’s story – a woman who opens up her front door to find a world of new possibilities, after the death of her dominating and deeply controlling husband. This funny, heart-warming, touching new play explores a hidden social reality we are only beginning to understand. Centeredaround Rose who is played by actress Mary O’Driscoll [Brooklyn (2015), The Bookshop (2017) and Ordinary Decent Criminal (2000)], thismasterpiece of new theatre writing is brought vividly to dramatic life by Ireland’s foremost playwright Deirdre Kinahan. It’s adventurous and brave and takes us into Rose’s journey getting back into her community and meeting new people.
We meet Rose as she stands on the empty stage, looking out into the auditorium. Imagining what it will be like when it is full. Which it will be. Tonight. When the choir performs. She has washed and ironed her cowgirl shirt and skirt. She carries it on a hanger. She likes the way the fringe swings when she wears it. It makes her feel glamorous. In the quiet of the theatre, she finds herself thinking back on the events of that morning, the events of last year, even the last twenty years. When did she stop being herself? Rose thinks about her dead husband Stephen, and her sons, and the man who knocked on her door.
Deirdre Kinahan – Writer, Director & Performer
Deirdre Kinahan is an award winning playwright and a member of Aosdána, Ireland’s elected body of outstanding artists. Deirdre is an Associate Artist with Meath County Council Arts Office, her plays are translated into many languages, published by Nick Hern Books and produced regularly in Ireland and on the International stage.
Recent work includes: The Saviour (Landmark Productions 2021) ‘In the middle of the fields’ (SolasNua, Washington DC2021), Embargo (Fishamble 2020), Dear Ireland (Abbey Theatre 2020), The Bloodied Field (Abbey Theatre 2020), The Unmanageable Sisters (Abbey Theatre 2018/19), Rathmines Road (Fishamble 2018), Crossings (Pentabus UK 2018), Wild Notes (SolasNua DC 2018), Renewed (Old Vic London 2018).
CAST: Mary O’Driscoll
Lighting Design: Eamon Fox
It has been core funded by the Arts Council of Ireland Theatre Project Award
FURTHER INFO at: www.draiocht.ie
Running time: 60 mins
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