Lyric Puts Local Writer On National Stage

The Absence of Women as the first play staged in the new theatre to go on tour. Originally produced at the Elmwood Hall in Belfast during construction work on the new Lyric building, The Absence of Women will run for two weeks on the Lyric’s Northern Bank Stage from 20 August before travelling firstly to the Horsecross in Perth, Scotland and then a month-long residency at the prestigious Tricycle Theatre in London. The Lyric Theatre’s Artistic Director, Richard Croxford, said, “Employing local actors, writers, directors and designers, from first rehearsal to final curtain, the shows we create are truly indigenous products of Northern Ireland. Putting local issues and local characters centre stage is what the Lyric does best. Our shows are relevant to local audiences and revealing to visitors to the city. And a very important part of the new Lyric Theatre’s strategy is to tour as widely as possible, to give audiences outside Northern Ireland an insight into our culture and to the work of the Lyric.” [caption id="attachment_26714" align="alignleft" width="245" caption="Alice O'Connell as Dotty in The Absence of Women."][/caption] Playright Owen McCafferty commented, “It is essential that theatres like the Tricycle continue to support Irish Theatre. In order for the industry to survive, theatre on this small island needs to travel. This is important for both financial and artistic reasons. I can’t think of a worse situation than being skint and talking to yourself.” Drama fans will not be disappointed with this poignant play by Owen McCafferty, who also wrote Mojo Mickybo, Scenes from the Big Picture, Antigone, Days of Wine and Roses and Shoot the Crow. Described as a “mini masterpiece” (Culture NI), The Absence of Women centres on Gerry and Iggy, two labourers from Belfast who are facing the end of their lives talking of the present and thinking of the past. They argue about who has the biggest liver, the names of tube stations and whether they should go back to Belfast or not. This play is about life and its endless possibilities, missed opportunities and how one man’s choice, in one instant, can alter the path of his life forever. Peter Gowan and Ciaran McIntyre will play leading characters Gerry and Iggy. Both actors make their Lyric debut in the revival of this play which premiered by the Lyric to critical acclaim in February 2010. Alice O’Connell, who plays Dotty, is the only original cast member. Having played Dotty in the original production, Alice is delighted to be back. She commented after the first reading of the play on day one of rehearsals,  “I enjoyed listening to Peter, Ciaran and Francis. It’s fascinating to hear how Owen’s wonderful script dictates the characters and rhythm despite it being new actors bringing his words to life. That’s not to say it won’t be different because it will, but in a really interesting way. There’ll be new intonations and to some extent new dynamics. So read through done, rehearsals began and so does the next chapter in The Absence of Women‘s life in the first of three new spaces: the new Lyric Theatre, Horsecross in Perth and the Tricycle in London, and with a new cast…bar me.” Peter Gowen, who plays Gerry, has a prolific stage career and he has worked with the Abbey Theatre, Druid theatre, National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Court in plays such as Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme; Juno and the Paycock; Someone to Watch Over Me; A Doll’s House and The Lieutenant of Inismore. Ciaran McIntyre plays Iggy. His most recent appearance on stage in Belfast was in January in Owen McCafferty’s play Shoot The Crow for Prime Cut Productions. Ciaran’s other credits include work for companies such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Globe Theatre, Gate Theatre and the Bristol Old Vic in plays like Translations; The Comedy of Errors; The Quare Fellow; Waiting for Godot and The Playboy of the Western World. Francis Mezza makes his professional stage debut at the Lyric. Having completed the Lyric’s Drama Studio, Francis had a non-speaking part in Dockers, but the rising star, who is a final year Drama student at Queen’s, has already notched up an award in 2011 for Best Ensemble Award at the Irish Student Drama Association Festival. Rachel O’Riordan will direct her opening season as Artistic Director at Perth Theatre (Horsecross Arts) this year, commencing with Twelfth Night. Rachel’s previous Lyric Theatre directing credits include The Absence of Women and Much Ado About Nothing; she was nominated for Best Director in the TMA Awards for both productions. Rachel has a PhD on Shakespeare in Performance from the University of Ulster and in 2010 won Best Director for Absolution in the First Irish Theatre Festival Awards in New York. Gilly Campbell, Drama and Dance Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said, “The Lyric has provided an outstanding cultural programme over the past 40 years, generating some of the most groundbreaking and innovative theatre. It looks like that trend is set to continue in the new theatre with a very exciting season programme planned for the year ahead. We wish the Lyric every success and look forward to experiencing some of the best theatre Northern Ireland has to offer.” The Absence of Women will run from 20th August to 3rd September on the Northern Bank Stage. To book, phone the Lyric Box Office on 028 9038 1081, or book online at www.lyrictheatre.co.uk]]>