Notice: There are currently gaps in the database affecting plays from mid 2023, 2024 and mid 2025 due to a technical issue. We are working to resolve this as quickly as possible and appreciate your patience in the meantime.

Plays

Printer Friendly

The Murphy Initiative

OVERVIEW

Playwright

Niall Williams
Setting

Caherconn, a coastal village in the West of Ireland, June 1987.
Play Type

Plays General

Number Of Acts

Full-Length

Cast size

Male

4
Female

3
Total

7

Original Production

Date of First Production

15 August 1991
Producer

Produced by Abbey Theatre/Amharclann na Mainistreach
Original Venue

Abbey Theatre/Amharclann na Mainistreach
Venue Notes

Produced on the Abbey Stage.

Original Cast
Shamie Murphy	Brian Doherty
TB Murphy	Ray McBride
Connie Murphy	Peadar Lamb
Mrs Batt	Marie Mullen
Dympna	Aisling O'Sullivan
Justin Murphy	Peter Banks
Meghan Murphy	Jennifer Parsons

Production Team
Director	Paul Mercier
Designer	Wendy Shea
Lighting	Tony Wakefield
Sound	Dave Nolan
Percussion	Mel Mercier
Design Assistant	Fiona Leech
Production Manager	Trevor Dawson
Technical Stage Manager	John Andrews
Stage Manager	Mairead McGrath
Deputy Stage Manager	Collette Morris
Assistant Stage Manager	Micil Ryan
Props Master	Stephen Molloy
Lighting Electrician	Mick Doyle (2)
Set Construction	Peter Rose
Set Construction	Martin Hayes
Set Construction	John Kavanagh (3)
Set Construction	Mark Darley
Scenic Artist	Angie Benner
Wardrobe Supervisor	Anne Cave
Wardrobe Assistant	Carol Smith
Wardrobe Assistant	Joan O'Clery
Wardrobe Assistant	Vicky Miller
Assistant Scenic Artist	Jonathan Garrett
PR	Gerry Lundberg
PR	Sinead Gorby
Graphic Design	Bite! Associates
Photography	Fergus Bourke

Unpublished Scripts

Contact

Not Found

Rights Information

Not Found

Source Of Information

The information for this entry was taken from the original production programme.

CONNECT AND SHARE
twitter
facebook
instagram
You tube
email

Irish Playography, Irish Theatre Institute, 17 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
T +353 (0)1 670 4906 | E info@irishtheatreinstitute.ie
W www.irishtheatreinstitute.ie (c) Irish Theatre Institute 2026

About

Other Information

Irish Theatre Institute
Registered Office: 17 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 F293
Tel: +353 1 670 4906

Registered Charity Number: CHY 20847
Company Registration Number: 338199
VAT Number : IE6358199D