The play about one of the world's great humanitarians — hanged for high treason in 1916 — has additional material and original concept by Richard T. Herd.
According to Irish Rep, "A few short years after being knighted, Casement was sentenced to be hanged for treason in what was called, 'The Trial of the Century.' The sensational trial was tainted by the presence of the 'Black Diaries' — an alleged explicit account of Casement's promiscuous homosexual lifestyle. Were the diaries real? Or, were they, as many believed, forged by the crown forces determined that he pay the ultimate price for his role in the Easter, 1916 uprising? "
The play, "set in the jury room of the Old Bailey and in the minds of the jury," features 49 characters and "paints a captivating picture of heroism, passion, and manipulative deception."
Opening is May 22. Performances continue to July 6 at Irish Rep's home at 132 West 22nd Street.
Irish Rep producing director Ciarán O'Reilly directs a cast that includes Peter Cormican, Patrick Fitzgerald, Philip Goodwin, Emma O'Donnell, Tim Ruddy, Ian Stuart, John Vennema, and John Windsor-Cunningham. The creative team includes set designer Charlie Corcoran, costume designer David Toser, lighting designer Brian Nason, sound designer Zachary Williamson, wig and hair designer Robert-Charles Vallance, fight director Rick Sordelet, production stage manager Elis Arroyo and stage manager Leslie Grisdale.
According to Irish Rep notes, "Roger Casement was born in Kingstown, now Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin, in 1864. In the 1890s Casement joined the British consular service, and in 1903 gained an international reputation for his humanitarian efforts in the Congo and later in Peru where he exposed atrocities to which natives were subjected by agents of rubber companies using forced labor. His reports created an international sensation for which resulted in his knighthood."
Performances will play Wednesday-Saturday at 8 PM, with matinees Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 3 PM. Tickets are $60 and $55.
For more information call (212) 727-2737 or visit www.irishrep.org.
