Tag Archives: Stephen Rea

Review: Tales of Ballycumber by Sebastian Barry at the Abbey Theatre

  By darraghdoyle | October 12, 2009 - 2:38 pm | The Arts, The Culch, Theatre
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You may remember me talking about the stage. You may remember the playwright talking about the play. You may have entered to win tickets. You may have seen it mentioned as we talked about the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival 2009. What you should do though is go see The Tales of Ballycumber by Sebastian Barry and starring Stephen Rea at the Abbey Theatre, playing until November 7 2009. I was lucky enough to be invited to the opening night last Wednesday and one of the most gratifying things was to hear the gasp of amazement and impressed silence as people saw Mike Britton‘s set for the first time. I realise the irony of course of including the photo above but you really have to know that the set without actors, without lighting, without that expectant hum of the audience, without the opening strains of the song at the start … There’s more →

Competition: Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival

  By Darren Byrne | September 7, 2009 - 3:25 pm | Competitions, Featured Post, The Arts, The Culch, Theatre
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*** Competition Closed *** *** Winners are Catherine Egan and Richie Fitzgerald *** *** Thank you to everyone who entered *** There’s very little I can add to Darragh’s comprehensive piece on the Ulster Bank Theatre Festival except to say I am really looking forward to it. Each year the festival manages to up its game bringing fresh plays and shows from Ireland and abroad. With 26 shows from 12 countries in 16 venues all over Dublin, this year’s programme promises to be brilliant. Two shows that have grabbed my attention the most are Tales of Ballycumber in the Abbey Theatre and Three Sisters in the Gaiety. Tales of Ballycumber is the new play by twice Booker nominated Sebastian Barry and features Aaron Monaghan and Oscar-nominated actor, Stephen Rea, in the leading roles. Young Evans Stafford (Monaghan) calls to the home of a friend and strong-minded traditionalist, Nicholas Farquhar (Rea), … There’s more →