As part of its mission statement, The Irish Repertory Theatre "encourages the development of new works focusing on the Irish and Irish American experience, as well as a range of other cultures."

The free presentation of Trad is 3 PM July 25. To RSVP, call (212) 727-2737.

Mark Doherty's Trad is "a short but epic voyage" that "follows the relationship of a one hundred year old Irishman and his father." The "surreal comedy" looks at the value of tradition. In Trad, "Doherty bequeaths his voice to two characters with a heady mixture of irreverence, bitterness and bewilderment; Da, an ancient widower who has lived longer than any man should, and his 100-year-old son, Thomas. Da hates the English and is disappointed in his son for failing to become a father himself. Thomas, meanwhile, has news for him; some 70 years ago, during a wordless encounter with a girl known to him only as 'Mary,' he did his bit to further the family line, and there's a possibility of a son of his out there, somewhere…"

Doherty has radio, TV and stage credits as a writer and actor. He also has a standup comedy background. He won the 2004 BBC Radio Drama Award (Stewart Parker Award) for Trad.

The Irish Rep reading cast includes Reed Birney (Stuff Happens, Pen, Bug), Jarlath Conroy (Faith Healer, A Man of No Importance, Pigtown and Fritz Weaver (Trying, Ring Round the Moon, A Life). Kara Manning, Irish Rep literary manager, hopes that the reading series will "give playwrights, both emerging and more established, the invaluable opportunity to develop their new work in a supportive, safe environment and will also introduce some Irish playwrights, especially those who might not yet have the New York recognition they merit, to an American audience."

All readings are at 3 PM and are located at The Irish Repertory Theatre, 132 W. 22nd Street.

For more information visit www.irishrep.org.