by Rose Rushe
Photo: Ian Collins
BOTTOM Dog has further sealed its reputation as an innovative, professional theatre company with the transition of ‘Language Unbecoming a Lady’ to Manhattan. That the host Origin 1st Irish Theatre Festival is run by Bottom Dog board member George Heslin is coincidence rather than clinch factor.
This former Irish Examiner/ New York Irish Man of the Year winner has a seven year history in staging Irish (107+) and European playwrights in the Big Apple.
In a triple launch at No. 1 Pery Hotel, a new promotional body in Culture Connect Limerick, and Limerick director Paul Meade’s invitation to the September festival with a play were also announced.
‘Language Unbecoming’ is written and performed by Myles Breen, directed and produced by Liam O’Brien. Hasten to Lime Tree Theatre on Thursday August 27 for a €50 a head fundraiser to help finance their prestigious American stint.
Breen admitted that since the play was written in 2009, “I’ve been overwhelmed by the reaction of the audience, gay and straight, young and old to this young man’s story, Robert, who is learning to find himself and to find acceptance”.
Photo: Ian Collins
It is a cracking study, emotive and funny and wonderfully written, of a gay adult whose alter ego – and expressive comfort – is his inner drag diva, Diana. Breen went on to make the point that his work also goes to reflect the changes in Irish sexuality, with homosexuality being legalised only in 1993.
Gúna Nua theatre company will travel to Manhattan with ‘Pondling’, written by Genevieve Hulme-Beaman. Paul Meade from Limerick’s South Circular Road, and Dublin based this long time, is director of the piece that “has won a number of awards for Genevieve including the Stewart Parker Award and the Scotsman Fringe First Award”.
Festival director George Heslin reminded everyone: “It’s not easy creating theatre and travelling with theatre costs money”.
To this end, Culture Connect Limerick is set up with talks in progress with City Hall and JP McManus Trust to fund related activity on a more stable basis.
Finally, Dr Mike Finneran of MIC drama will sponsor a drinks reception prior to the ‘Language Unbecoming a Lady’ in Lime Tree, and Breen promises an epilogue titled ‘The Diva Diana Show’ at Dolan’s later.
Book for Thursday August 27 on www.limetreetheatre.ie
