Inis Nua Theatre Company, Philadelphia's only professional company dedicated to producing contemporary plays from Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, is excited to bring Philadelphia the U.S. premiere of Leo Butler's The Early Bird, the Philly premiere of Abbie Spallen's Pumpgirl and the U.S. premiere of Michael West's Dublin by Lamplight (Dublin by Lamplight is supported by the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage through the Philadelphia Theatre Initiative).
"This is a monumental year for Inis Nua," says Artistic Director Tom Reing. "This is a full and diverse season for us and we think that local audiences are going to be engaged and thrilled with it. It includes Dublin by Lamplight, a show I've wanted to for years, and now we have the resources to achieve it."
Formed in 2004, Inis Nua Theatre has produced three American premieres, one New York premiere and five Philadelphia premieres. This year brings an additional two American premieres to Inis Nua's growing achievements. Translated from the Irish Language, Inis Nua means "New Island."
The 2010-11 Inis Nua Theatre Season
From Northern Ireland
Pumpgirl by Abbie Spallen
January 11-23, 2011 at Amaryllis at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street
In this gripping play from one of Ireland's brightest new talents, playwright Abbie Spallen shapes a startling tale of three lives colliding in rural Ireland. The play unfolds with the story of a homely, tomboyish pump girl at a rundown gas station. When a local racetrack star becomes the focus of her obsession, the affair threatens more than the feelings of his disenchanted wife. A blazing success in Edinburgh, 2006 and at London's renowned Bush Theatre, the play is in the best tradition of richly detailed and unforgettable Irish storytelling.
From Ireland, AMERICAN PREMIERE
Dublin by Lamplight by Michael West
April 26-May 14, 2011 at Broad Street Ministries, 315 South Broad Street
Amidst the filth and fury of Dublin 1904, the theatrical event of the century is about to
explode. Will the Irish National Theatre of Ireland seize its chance for glory? Fading
stars, rebels, whores, and romantics irreverently expose the strange and lurid world of
Dublin by Lamplight. With no set, no props and heavy make-up, six actors take the
challenge of playing more than 30 roles with physicality and grace.
In addition, Inis Nua will continue its annual Reading Series, featuring the best in local
talent. This season will hear Jez Butterworth's Parlour Song (England), Frank Pig
Says Hello by Patrick McCabe (Ireland) and Realism by Anthony Neilson (Scotland).
Also, Inis Nua is proud to bring back The CraicDown, our annual fundraiser, Nov. 18th,
at the World Café Live. Featuring actors moonlighting as rock stars and rock stars
rolling their eyes at the actors (after they've finished their own sets), The CraicDown is
a stripped-down acoustic evening, along with raffles and prizes, all benefitting Inis Nua's
ongoing mission to bring the best work of the British Isles to Philadelphia.
Tickets for all events are available through www.inisnuatheatre.org or by calling (215)
454-9776. Subscriptions are also available for the season, including the readings and a
discount to the annual fundraiser.
