According to Off-Broadway's Irish Rep, "Rebel in the Soul deals with the confrontation in 1951 between Dr. Noel Browne, Minister for Health in the Irish Government, and Dr. John Charles McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin over Browne's Mother and Child Health Scheme. Browne's family had been ravaged by tuberculosis and the 35 year-old Minister had already set in motion policies that would eventually eradicate the disease from Ireland. He next planned to give free pre-natal and health care to Irish women and their children. Young, arrogant and passionate, he arrives at the Episcopal Palace for his final meeting with the Archbishop. Both men and the destiny of Ireland will be changed by the events of the evening."

Playwright Kirwan has written two novels, "Liverpool Fantasy" and "Rockin' The Bronx"; a memoir "Green Suede Shoes"; and a number of plays collected under the title Mad Angels.

Irish Rep artistic director Charlotte Moore directs. Irish Rep (currently reviving Dancing at Lughnasa) is at 132 W. 22nd Street in Manhattan.

The reading of Rebel in the Soul is free and open to the public, but a reservation is required at (212) 727-2737.

For more information visit www.irishrep.org.