Following its premiere at Dublin Theatre Festival 2021, the Draíocht Blanchardstown production of ‘The Visit’, a play about personal hope by multi-award winning Irish playwright Deirdre Kinahan embarked on a 10 – venue nationwide tour and is coming to the Droichead Arts Centre on June 11.
Centered around Rose who is played by actress Mary O’Driscoll [Brooklyn (2015), The Bookshop (2017) and Ordinary Decent Criminal (2000)], this masterpiece of new theatre writing is brought vividly to life by one of Ireland’s foremost playwrights, Deirdre Kinahan.
Rose’s story is of a woman who opens up her front door to find a world of new possibilities, after the death of her dominating and deeply controlling husband’
It is funny, heart-warming and touching, exploring a hidden social reality we are only now beginning to understand. It is adventurous and brave and brings us on a journey as Rose gets back into her community and begins meeting new people.
We meet Rose as she stands on the empty stage, looking out into the auditorium. Imagining what it will be like when it is full. Which it will be. Tonight.
When the clown choir performs she has washed and ironed her cowgirl shirt and skirt. She likes the way the fringe swings when she wears it. It makes her feel glamorous.
In the quiet of the theatre, she finds herself thinking back on the events of that morning, the events of last year, even the last twenty years.
When did she stop being herself? Rose thinks about her dead husband Stephen, and her sons, and the man who knocked on her door.
Here’s a viedo clip to whet your appetite:
BACKGROUND:
Directed for stage by Veronica Coburn, and starring Mary O’Driscoll, ‘The Visit’ is based on Deirdre Kinahan’s play ‘YES’ which delves deeper into Rose’s story – a woman who opens up her front door to find a world of new possibilities, after the death of her dominating and deeply controlling husband .
‘YES’ was inspired by the time Deirdre Kinahan spent with Dublin 15’s Maureen Penrose, her HOME THEATRE host in 2018 and who’s character Rose in that play tells a very personal story about her life.
‘YES’ was performed by Mary O’Driscoll in Maureen’s home in October 2018, 3 times, to 3 invited audiences, before transferring to Draíocht’s Main Stage, as part of Dublin Theatre Festival 2018. ‘The Visit’ had its premiere on Draíocht’s Main Stage as part of Dublin Theatre Festival 2021 and now tours Ireland in 2022, thanks to a Touring Award from the Arts Council, as part of Draíocht’s 21st Birthday Celebrations.
CREATIVE TEAM:
- Writer: Deirdre Kinahan
- Director: Veronica Coburn
- Performer: Mary O’Driscoll
- Set & Costume Design: Deirdre Dwyer
- Sound Design: Sinead Diskin
- Lighting Design: Eamon Fox
For more information and to purchase tickets €18 / €16, see www.droichead.com or call 041 983 3946.
