Irish Arts Center presents the U.S. premiere of the Lyric Theatre, Belfast’s Agreement, the “searing new play” (The Irish Times, in a five-star review) written by Owen McCafferty that “expertly conveys” (The Guardian) the volatile four-day process of peace negotiations in Northern Ireland that culminated in the Good Friday Agreement. McCafferty mines humor and humanity from the pressurized circumstances through which history was made.
The cast includes Ruairi Conaghan (Fire Below, All That Fall) as David Trimble, Chris Corrigan (Dockers, Cyprus Avenue) as Gerry Adams, Richard Croxford (Kiss Me Kate, Sweeney Todd) as George Mitchell, Dan Gordon (The Boat Factory, Frank Carson: A Rebel Without a Pause) as John Hume, Martin Hutson (God of Carnage, Small Island) as Tony Blair, Andrea Irvine (Sadie, Cyprus Avenue) as Mo Mowlam, and Ronan Leahy (Translations, Drum Belly) as Bertie Ahern. The creative team includes Conor Murphy (Set & Costume Design), Mary Tumelty (Lighting Design), Kate Marlais (Sound Design & Composition), Eoin Robinson (Video Design), Dylan Quinn (Movement Direction), Brendan Gunn (Dialect Coaching), and Ruairi Glasheen (Percussion).
Agreement is set in April 1998, as the main political parties in Northern Ireland, the British government and the Irish government, all under the watchful eye of Senator George Mitchell, try to hammer out a deal that could pave the way for peace in Northern Ireland. The production—a highlight of the 2023 civic events in Belfast to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement—played to capacity audiences in Lyric Theatre, Belfast’s sold-out run earlier this year. It attracted international visitors and delegates to Belfast and to the Lyric including Senator George Mitchell, Secretary Hillary Clinton, members of the Women’s Coalition and the families of Gerry Adams, David Trimble, Mo Mowlam and John Hume.
Date: April 11–May 12
Location: The JL Greene Theatre at Irish Arts Center, 726 11th Avenue (bet. 51st and 52nd), New York, NY, 10019
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Irish Arts Center
726 11th Avenue (bet. 51st & 52nd) New York, NY 10019
Photo credit: Carrie Davenport
