Plays

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Dublin 1742

OVERVIEW

  • Playwright

    John Banville 

  • Notes

    A play for 9-14 year olds.

  • Synopsis

    Centred on the last week of rehearsals of Handel's Messiah, this fantastical drama is narrated by Laetitia Pilkington. As Georg Handel attempts to pull together his masterpiece, Jonathan Swift decides to rescind his decision to allow the choir of St Patrick's to appear in the piece. The sopranos are at each other's throats and rehearsals are constantly interrupted. All the while the harsh realities of Irish life are teeming in the second city of the British Empire.

  • Play Type

    Theatre for Young Audiences

    Number Of Acts

    Full-Length

    • Cast size

  • Male

    10

  • Female

    5

  • Total

    15

  • Cast Notes

    Cast doubling is possible. See original production for details.

Original Production

  • Date of First Production

    05 June 2002

  • Producer

    Produced by The Ark

  • Original Venue

    The Ark

Original Cast  
Pat Jack Walsh
Rev. Isaac Weld Michael Fitzgerald
David Garrick Michael Fitzgerald
Georg Frideric Handel Derek Reid
Bishop George Berkeley John Lovett
Thomas Arne John Lovett
Rev. John Leland Gerard Walsh
Matthew Dubourg Gerard Walsh
Peg Woffington Emma Moohan
Christina Maria Avoglio Emma Moohan
Mary Delany Elizabeth Kuti
Susanna Cibber Elizabeth Kuti
Jonathan Swift Don Foley
Francesco Geminiani Jack Walsh
Laetitia Pilkington Carmel Stephens
Production Team  
Director Eric Fraad
Set Designer Robert Pyzocha
Producer Prajnagita (previously known as Elena Gamble)
Producer Mags Walsh
Lighting Designer Rupert Murray
Costume Designer Monica Frawley
Sound Designer Avondale Studios
Choreographer Liz Roche
Assistant Set Designer Sarah Kernaghan
Technical Manager Mark Rooney
Stage Director Michael Higgins(1)
Stage Manager Roisin Kearney
Technical Assistant Henry Broekhoven
Technical Assistant Michael Higgins(1)
Set Construction Theatre Production Services
Set Construction Mark Rooney
Scenic Artist Jack Kirwan
Projections Willie Van Velsen
Projections Ken Hartnett

Unpublished Scripts

  • Contact

    Anthony Shiel, Gillon Aitken Associates

  • Address

    29 Fernshaw Road
    London SW10 0TG
    England

  • Phone

    + 44 (0)20 7351 7561

Rights Information

  • Territory

    All Territories

  • Rights Type

    All Rights

  • Contact

    Anthony Shiel, Gillon Aitken Associates

  • Address

    29 Fernshaw Road
    London SW10 0TG
    England

  • Phone

    + 44 (0)20 7351 7561

Source Of Information

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