BOTTOM Dog Theatre Company is making a heartfelt return to Limerick’s No.1 Pery Square Hotel this month with a series of four Pulitzer Prize-winning play readings, held every Sunday at 8pm. The season continues on Sunday, September 15, with Wit by Margaret Edson, directed by Eloise Hickey, set in the intimate, elegant surroundings of No.1 Pery Square.
Since 2009, Bottom Dog’s play readings have been a staple of Limerick’s cultural calendar, though the series had to pause in recent years due to funding challenges. Their return is bittersweet, as it comes shortly after the passing of their beloved colleague, John Murphy. A founding member of Island Theatre Company in 1988, and a cherished front-of-house manager at Belltable and Lime Tree theatres, John was last seen on stage in Bottom Dog’s 2020 reading of The Party by Jane Arden. His loss has been deeply felt by the arts community, which gathered to honour him on August 26.
Bottom Dog producer Myles Breen shared, “We weren’t sure whether to continue so soon after John’s passing, but we felt that offering these award-winning plays to actors and audiences alike was a fitting tribute. John directed many of our readings, most memorably Journey’s End. He was part of our first reading in 2009 and continued to be involved throughout. We’re heartbroken he won’t join us this time.”
Co-producer Liam O’Brien added, “John was a mentor, colleague, and friend. We worked together for 26 years, and his passion for theatre in Limerick was unmatched. In his words, he just wanted ‘the work to be good’ and ‘to occasionally get paid.’ Thanks to our funders and sponsors for Four Pulitzer Plays, we can honour both wishes. In his memory, we’re getting back to work.”
The readings are made possible through local council funding, the support of Patricia Roberts at No. 1 Pery Square, and generous contributions from John and Michelle Sadlier of Sadlier’s Fish and Poultry, and Daire Scanlon of Scanlon’s Pharmacy.
