The Irish Repertory Theatre's limited engagement of Sebastian Barry's Our Lady of Sligo closes July 2. Sligo started previews Apr. 13, opened on Apr. 20 and was extended a full month past its original June 1 closing date. In all, Sligo will have played 8 previews and 74 performances in its run.
Our Lady of Sligo was co-produced by Irish Rep in association with the Royal National Theatre and Stafford Clark's seven-year-old group, Out of Joint Productions.
As reported earlier, two key players from director Max Stafford-Clark's award-winning Royal National Theatre production of Our Lady of Sligo joined the New York run of the play -- Sinéad Cusack and Andrea Irvine.
Also featured in the cast were Jarlath Conroy, Melinda Page Hamilton, Sinead Colreavy and Tom Lancy.
Sinéad Cusack told Playbill On-Line that she considered her part on Sligo "the most challenging role of my career." Sinéad Cusack's recent work includes Our Lady Of Sligo , The Tower (Almeida Theatre), The Faith Healer (Royal Court); Map of the Heart (Globe Theatre); Three Sisters (Gate Theatre, Dublin/Royal Court); Aristocrats (Hampstead Theatre); Cyrano de Bergerac (RSC/Broadway); Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew, Peer Gynt, The Custom of the Country, The Merchant of Venice, Richard III, The Maid's Tragedy, As You Like It, Measure for Measure, Children of the Sun, Wild Oats (RSC); Arms and the Man (Oxford Festival) and Othello (Ludlow Festival).
Stafford-Clark not only helmed the Royal National run but directed the New York engagement as well.
Playwright Sebastian Barry's (The Steward of Christendom, Prayers of Sherkin) family history inspired his story about that class of Irish people whose realizations of independence and self-rule often fell short of their expectations. Sligo won the 1997 Peggy Ramsay Award.
The production team for the show featured Irish Rep producing director Ciaran O'Reilly, scenic and costume designer Julian McGowan and lighting designer Johanna Town.
The Irish Rep is located at 132 West 22 St. in New York City. For information and tickets call (212) 727 2737.
-- By Murdoch McBride
