Photo: Keith Wiseman
THE latest venture by Bottom Dog Theatre Company on stage will be ‘The Bachelor of Kilkish’, running at Lime Tree Theatre, MIC from next Wednesday 11 to Friday 13, 8pm.
As with ‘Language Unbecoming a Lady’, a touring hit for the company, this happy-sad play that is centred by a reflective private life is written by Myles Breen and directed by Liam O’Brien
Think big. This is a hardy corps of professionals who are working a long time. Last year’s production by Tom McIntyre got a nod to The Irish Times Theatre Awards with John A Murphy at the helm.
Actor/ singer/ producer Liam O’Brien directed his first show ‘Crimes of the Heart’ while in college, nominated for the Irish Student Drama Awards. Life as an international performer has taken him from Edward Hall’s Propeller Company to The Rat Pack.
At the press launch for ‘The Bachelor’ in Figaro’s Barber Shop, Liam O’Brien was specific in placing his company’s vision and ability with the best, referencing a hoped-for legacy to Limerick City of Culture 2014: “allowing artists full ambition and talent at a scale not previously seen, creating theatre to stand anywhere with that of Dublin, Derry, London, New York”.
What is his approach to ‘The Bachelor of Kilkish’? Breen’s gay barber, 60-something, has a latent awakening of the senses as his seaside town stirs.
‘Language Unbecoming a Lady’ played to 22 venues over three years. We wanted the same creative team because Myles told that original story so well – that’s what we work to do”.
Photo: Keith Wiseman
He points to the age difference of the cast requiring them to audition, the risk in choosing from 70 actors who came with a flutter in their hearts. Lead Brendan Conroy’s skill is familiar from work in ‘Pigtown’ and ‘The Revenger’s Tale’. “As for the rest of the cast, we are blessed with them”. Collaborating is a welcome challenge and City of Culture money talks.
Credentials are screen friendly: Clare Monnelly of ‘Moone Boy’; Deirdre Monaghan, ‘Game of Thrones’; Pascal Scott, ‘Killinaskully’; Limerick native Cillian Ó’Gairbhí whose one man show received rave reviews and Tipperary newcomer Stephen Tadgh.
Bottom Dog’s core members Pius McGrath and Mike Bourke crew and with Gerry Lombard on lighting and costumes by Sharon Kiely, theatre goers are in for a new work of substance and style.
Book on www.limetreetheatre.ie
