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The Arts Council Playography Na Gaeilge

People

Tomás Mac Anna

1925 - 2011

Tomás Mac Anna (or Thomas F McCann) was born in Dundalk and as a young man became involved with amateur dramatics while also writing radio plays in English and Irish for Radio Éireann and the BBC. A fluent Irish speaker, he was offered the position of Gaelic Producer to the Abbey in 1947. He was appointed Artistic Director of the Abbey in 1966, and became a member of the Board of Directors in 1972. He was later appointed an Honorary Director of the Abbey. He directed plays in Europe, Canada and America where his production of 'Borstal Boy' in 1970 won both the Tony Award for best play, and the New York Critics Award. Work not listed here includes the satirical revue "A State of Chassis (Ian Paisley Is Unaisy And Living In Cabra)",which famously provoked a mini-riot led by writer and activist Eamon McCann when it was performed in 1970.

Playwriting Credits

Play Title Playwright
An Fear a Phós Balbhán Tomás Mac Anna Gerard Victory
An Sciath Draíochta Tomás Mac Anna
Ar Buille a hOcht Tomás Mac Anna
Bláithín agus an Mac Rí Tomás Mac Anna Pádraig Ó Siochfhradha Caoimhghín Ó Conghaile
Dragan '71 Tomás Mac Anna Seán Ó Briain
Gach Neach Beo Eamon Morrissey Tomás Mac Anna
Glittering Spears Tomás Mac Anna
Réamonn agus Niamh Óg Tomás Mac Anna
Scéal Scéalaí Eile Eamon Kelly Tomás Mac Anna
Séadna Tomás Mac Anna
Seo Scéal Eile Eamon Kelly Tomás Mac Anna
Setanta agus an Chú Tomás Mac Anna
Sonia agus an Bodach Tomás Mac Anna Pádraig Ó Siochfhradha Caoimhghín Ó Conghaile
Táinbócú Tomás Mac Anna Críostóir Ó Floinn Eoghan Ó Tuairisc Gabriel Rosenstock
The Strange and Unnatural Death of Augustus Moone Tomás Mac Anna
Úna agus Jimín Tomás Mac Anna
Winter Wedding Tomás Mac Anna

Adaptations

Play Title Playwright
A Christmas Carol Tomás Mac Anna Charles Dickens
Cemented With Love Tomás Mac Anna Sam Thompson

Actor

Play Title Playwright
An Sciath Draíochta Tomás Mac Anna
Design For A Headstone Séamus Byrne
Réalt Dhiarmuda
Strange Occurence on Ireland's Eye Denis Johnston
The Goldfish in the Sun Donal Giltinan
The Honey Spike Bryan MacMahon
The Risen People James Plunkett

Set Designer

Play Title Playwright
A Change of Mind John O'Donovan (1)
An Briob Seumus O'Kelly Aistriúchán ar 'The Bribe' (1913). Ní luaiter cé d'aistrigh cé gur dóchúil gurbh é Tomás Mac Giolla Bhríde a rinne é.
An Fear Óg Umhal Malda Eoin Ó Súilleabháin Eoin Ó Súilleabháin Betty Barr Gould Stevens
Aistriúchán ar 'The Good and Obedient Young Man'.
An Stráinséir Pádraig Ó Siochfhradha
Bratacha an Rí Liam Ó Briain Adolfo Costa du Rels
Aistrithe ó 'Les Étendards du Roi'.
Chun na Fairrge Síos Tomás Ó Muircheartaigh Séamus Ó Séaghdha John Millington (J.M.) Synge John Millington (J.M.) Synge
Aistriúchán ar 'Riders to the Sea' (1904)
Cúirt an Mheán Oíche Eoghan Ó Tuairisc
Rún an Oileáin Séamus Ó Néill

Settings by

Play Title Playwright
A Jew Called Sammy John McCann (1)
A Leap in the Dark Hugh Leonard
A Light In the Sky Donal Giltinan
A Right Rose Tree Michael Joseph (M.J.) Molloy
A Sunset Touch Michael Mulvihill
All the King's Horses John McDonnell
Anyone Could Rob A Bank Tom Coffey
Brave Banner Eamon Cassidy
Cafflin' Johnny Louis d'Alton
Copperfaced Jack John O'Donovan (1)
Do Thrushes Sing In Birmingham? Liam Lynch
Early and Often John McCann (1)
Give Me A Bed of Roses John McCann (1)
Gone Tomorrow Tom Coffey
Hut 42 John B. Keane
I Know Where I'm Going John McCann (1)
In Dublin's Fair City Críostóir Ó Floinn
It Can't Go On Forever John McCann (1)
Leave It To The Doctor Anne Daly
Look In The Looking Glass Walter Macken
No Man Is An Island Peter Hutchinson
On Trial Máiréad Ní Ghráda
Translated from the Irish by the author
Put A Beggar on Horseback John McCann (1)
Seven Men and a Dog Niall Sheridan
Stephen Stoney Christine Longford
Strange Occurence on Ireland's Eye Denis Johnston
Stranger Beware Tom Coffey
The Bird in the Net Sean Dowling
The Briery Gap T.C. Murray
The Deputy's Daughter James Anthony Butler
The Enemy Within Brian Friel
The Evidence I Shall Give Richard Johnson (2)
The Face of Treason Eoin Neeson Colm Mac Neill
The Flying Wheel Donal Giltinan
The Honey Spike Bryan MacMahon
The Less We Are Together John O'Donovan (1)
The Living and the Lost Kevin Casey
The Long Sorrow Tom Coffey
The Risen People James Plunkett
The Shaws of Synge Street John O'Donovan (1)
The Song of the Anvil Bryan MacMahon
The Wanton Tide Niall Carroll
Waiting Night P.S. Loughlin
War, the Monster Mary Davenport O'Neill
Winter Wedding Tomás Mac Anna

Produced by

Play Title Playwright
A Jew Called Sammy John McCann (1)
All the King's Horses John McDonnell
Put A Beggar on Horseback John McCann (1)
The Face of Treason Eoin Neeson Colm Mac Neill
The Irishwoman of the Year John Power
The Living and the Lost Kevin Casey
The Long Sorrow Tom Coffey
War, the Monster Mary Davenport O'Neill

Director

Play Title Playwright
A Trinity of Two Ulick O'Connor
Ag Baint Lae As Seán Tóibín George Shiels
Aistriúchán ar 'The Passing Day' (1936)
Áis na nDéithe Edward Golden
Aisling as Tír na nÓg Eoghan Ó Tuairisc Micheál Mac Conmara
Bhí lámh ag baill eile de chuid an chompántais sa chumadóireacht freisin, e.g. Caoimhín Ó Conghaile, Niall Tóibín agus Mícheál Ó hUannacháin.
An Choinneal Pádhraig Ó Giollagáin
An Ciste Tógála Piaras Mac Lochlainn William Boyle
Aistrithe ó 'The Building Fund'.
An Claíomh Soluis Eoghan Ó Tuairisc Antoine de Buitléir
An Crann Ubhall Séamus Ó Tuama Harold Brighouse
Aistriúchán ar 'The Apple Tree' (1923)
An Fear a Phós Balbhán Tomás Mac Anna Gerard Victory
An Oighreacht Risteard de Paor
An Triail Máiréad Ní Ghráda
An tSiúr Pól Séamus Ó Néill
Ar Buille a hOcht Tomás Mac Anna
Aistriúchán ar an mbunsaothar Béarla le Marjorie Watson
Bláithín agus an Mac Rí Tomás Mac Anna Pádraig Ó Siochfhradha Caoimhghín Ó Conghaile
Borstal Boy Frank McMahon Brendan Behan
Based on Brendan Behan's autobiographical novel.
Breithiúnas Máiréad Ní Ghráda
Brendan Ulick O'Connor
Brian agus an Claidheamh Soluis Ní luaitear údar.
Castar na Daoine ar a Chéile Macdara Ó Fátharta Pádraic Ó Conaire
Athchóiriú ar dhá ghearrscéal, 'Ceoltóirí' agus 'Díoltas'.
Chun na Fairrge Síos Tomás Ó Muircheartaigh Séamus Ó Séaghdha John Millington (J.M.) Synge John Millington (J.M.) Synge
Aistriúchán ar 'Riders to the Sea' (1904)
Clocha na Coighríce Aindrias Ó Gallchóir
Cúirt an Mheán Oíche Eoghan Ó Tuairisc
Deoraíocht Macdara Ó Fátharta Pádraic Ó Conaire
Cóirithe ón úrscéal.
Diarmuid agus Balor Eoghan Ó Tuairisc Antoine de Buitléir
Dragan '71 Tomás Mac Anna Seán Ó Briain
Emer agus an Laoch Niall Tóibín Edward Golden Dónal Ó Cuill Seosamh Mac Giolla Eoin
Execution Ulick O'Connor
Famine Tom Murphy (1)
Flann agus Clemintín Antoine de Buitléir Seán Mac Domhnaill
Tá daoine eile luaite ar an gclár freisin mar údair ar na liricí.
Gach Neach Beo Eamon Morrissey Tomás Mac Anna
Aistriúchán agus athchóiriú ar an dráma 'Everyman', dráma móralta ón 15ú haois. Níl heol dúinn an t-údar.
Glittering Spears Tomás Mac Anna
Gráinne na Long Eoghan Ó Tuairisc
Gunna Cam agus Slabhra Óir Seán Ó Tuama
Iomrall Aithne Gerard Victory
Lon Rinn an Chairn Seán Ó Broin
Mac Uí Rudaí Máiréad Ní Ghráda
Moill na Mithidí Gobanait Ní Loingsigh Martin J McHugh
Aistriúchán ar 'A Minute's Wait' (1914)
My Name is Zozimus Joe O'Donnell
Na Cloigíní Mairéad Nic Mhaicín
Aistriúchán ar 'Le Juif Polonais' le Erckmann-Chatrian.
Na Mairnéalaigh Eoghan Ó Tuairisc
Niall Agus Carmelita Ní luaitear údar.
Oisín Eoghan Ó Tuairisc
Oisín i dTír na n-Óg Liam Ó Ceallaigh
Athchóiriú ar sheanscéal Fiannaíochta.
On Trial Máiréad Ní Ghráda
Translated from the Irish by the author
Petticoat Loose Michael Joseph (M.J.) Molloy
Prisoner of the Crown Richard S. Stockton
Based on a story idea by Richard T. Herd.
Réamonn agus Niamh Óg Tomás Mac Anna
Bhí baint ag baill éagsúla an chompántais leis an script freisin.
Retreat Syd Cheatle
Rún an Oileáin Séamus Ó Néill
Saoirse Risteard de Paor
Scéal Ar Phádraig Seán Ó Tuama
Scéal Scéalaí Eile Eamon Kelly Tomás Mac Anna
Setanta agus an Chú Tomás Mac Anna
agus Tarlach Ó hUid. Focail na n-amhrán: baill éagsúla den chliar.
Sonia agus an Bodach Tomás Mac Anna Pádraig Ó Siochfhradha Caoimhghín Ó Conghaile
Souper Sullivan Eoghan Harris
Stailc Ocrais Máiréad Ní Ghráda
Súgán Sneachta Máiréad Ní Ghráda
Tá Crut Nua ar na Sléibhte Micheál Mac Liammóir Liam Ó Briain Micheál Mac Liammóir Micheál Mac Liammóir
Aistriúchán ar 'The Mountains Look Different'(1948)
Tagann Godot Alan Titley Samuel Beckett
Tá an saothar En Attendant Godot (Waiting for Godot) mar chúlra ar an dráma seo.
Táinbócú Tomás Mac Anna Críostóir Ó Floinn Eoghan Ó Tuairisc Gabriel Rosenstock
The Barracks Hugh Leonard John McGahern
The Emperor of Ice Cream Bill Morrison Brian Moore (3)
Based on Brian Moore's 1966 novel of the same name.
The Farm John Boyd
The Freedom of the City Brian Friel
The Life and Times of Benvenuto Cellini Hugh Carr
The Temptation of Mr. O Cyril Cusack Franz Kafka

An adaptation of 'The Trial' by Franz Kafka.
Time Was Hugh Leonard
Úll Glas Oíche Shamhna Máiréad Ní Ghráda
Ulysses agus Penelope Eoghan Ó Tuairisc
Ulysses in Nighttown Marjorie Barkentin James Joyce
Dramatised by Marjorie Barkentin under the supervision of Padraic Colum.
Umar Na hAimléise Victor de Paor
Úna agus Jimín Tomás Mac Anna
Bhí baint ag baill éagsúla den chliar leis an script freisin.
Zoz Joe O'Donnell

Art Director

Play Title Playwright
Aisling Mhic Artáin Eoghan Ó Tuairisc

Designer

Play Title Playwright
All Gods Die on Friday Michael McDonnell
Gunna Cam agus Slabhra Óir Seán Ó Tuama
My Name is Zozimus Joe O'Donnell

Set

Play Title Playwright
An Claíomh Soluis Eoghan Ó Tuairisc Antoine de Buitléir
An Sciath Draíochta Tomás Mac Anna
Luaitear freisin Tom Coffey, Edward Golden, Antoine de Buitléar agus Earnán de Blaghd mar údair.
An tSiúr Pól Séamus Ó Néill
Borstal Boy Frank McMahon Brendan Behan
Based on Brendan Behan's autobiographical novel.
Diarmuid agus Balor Eoghan Ó Tuairisc Antoine de Buitléir
Flann agus Clemintín Antoine de Buitléir Seán Mac Domhnaill
Tá daoine eile luaite ar an gclár freisin mar údair ar na liricí.
Gráinne na Long Eoghan Ó Tuairisc
Iomrall Aithne Gerard Victory
Mac Uí Rudaí Máiréad Ní Ghráda
Na Mairnéalaigh Eoghan Ó Tuairisc
Stailc Ocrais Máiréad Ní Ghráda
Súgán Sneachta Máiréad Ní Ghráda
Suirí Le Caitríona Edward Golden William Shakespeare
'The Taming of the Shrew' le Shakespeare.
The Successor Steven Vas Reinhard Raffalt
Translated by Steven Vas
Umar Na hAimléise Victor de Paor

Lyrics by

Play Title Playwright
An Fear a Phós Balbhán Tomás Mac Anna Gerard Victory
An Sciath Draíochta Tomás Mac Anna
Luaitear freisin Tom Coffey, Edward Golden, Antoine de Buitléar agus Earnán de Blaghd mar údair.
Bláithín agus an Mac Rí Tomás Mac Anna Pádraig Ó Siochfhradha Caoimhghín Ó Conghaile
Diarmuid agus Balor Eoghan Ó Tuairisc Antoine de Buitléir
Niall Agus Carmelita Ní luaitear údar.
Oisín i dTír na n-Óg Liam Ó Ceallaigh
Athchóiriú ar sheanscéal Fiannaíochta.
Ulysses agus Penelope Eoghan Ó Tuairisc

Assistant to Director

Play Title Playwright
An Fear Óg Umhal Malda Eoin Ó Súilleabháin Eoin Ó Súilleabháin Betty Barr Gould Stevens
Aistriúchán ar 'The Good and Obedient Young Man'.

Designer

Play Title Playwright
Bua na Créachta Tomás Tóibín José-María de Sagarra
Aistriúchán agus athchóiriú ar 'Le Herida Luminosa'.

Producer

Play Title Playwright
Lá Buí Bealtaine Máiréad Ní Ghráda

Assistant Director

Play Title Playwright
Pota an Anraith Breandán Ó hEithir William Butler Yeats
Aistriúchán ar 'The Pot of Broth' (1902)
Réalt Dhiarmuda Ní luaitear údar ach b'iad foireann Amharclann na Mainistreach a chur le chéile e.

Production by

Play Title Playwright
The Briery Gap T.C. Murray

Costumes

Play Title Playwright
War, the Monster Mary Davenport O'Neill