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The Arts Council Playography Na Gaeilge

Plays

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Town Is Dead

A play within music.

© Ros Kavanagh, production photograph from Town is Dead, with (L-R) Barbara Brennan, Kate Gilmore, Conall Keating, Fia Houston-Hamilton

OVERVIEW

  • Playwright

    Phillip McMahon 

  • Author Notes

    Originally conceived and developed by Phillip McMahon and Raymond Scannell.

  • Notes

    Note from the published script: "Town Is Dead is written to be performed within or without music. In its premier production, the play was presented 'within music', which is to say that much of the text, as written, was sung to Raymond Scannell's score. In this edition, blocks of text and various lines which appear italicised indicate repeats, refrains and harmonies which are sung. These should be omitted when the play is presented without music."

  • Synopsis

    Ellen thought she’d end her life where it began – in a rundown flat in Dublin’s north inner city. Now her building is sold, and she’s being moved into a box room in her snooty sister’s house in the suburbs. When an unexpected visitor lands in her front room, Ellen is forced to delve into the past in order to lay some ghosts to rest.

  • Play Type

    Plays General

    Number Of Acts

    Full-Length

    • Cast size

  • Male

    1

  • Female

    3

  • Total

    4

Original Production

Original Cast
Ellen Barbara Brennan
Katarina Kate Gilmore
Rachel Fia Houston-Hamilton
Will Conall Keating
Band Leader/Keyboards Danny Forde
Harp Christiane O'Mahony
Clarinet/Bass Clarinet Conor Sheil
Production Team
Director Phillip McMahon
Set Designer Paul O'Mahony
Lighting Designer Sarah Jane Shiels
Costume Designer Saileóg O'Halloran
Sound Designer Ben Delaney
Voice Director Andrea Ainsworth
Movement Director Megan Kennedy
Music by Raymond Scannell
Musical Director Cathal Synnott
Production Manager Cliff Barragry
Stage Manager Bronagh Doherty
Deputy Stage Manager Jean Hally
Graphic Design Mandy Horton
Poster Photography Aidan Kelly
Production Photography Ros Kavanagh
Literary Manager Jessica Traynor
Sign Language Interpreter Amanda Coogan
Voice Artist Gerard Kelly
Casting Director Kelly Phelan
Hair & Make-Up Val Sherlock

Published Scripts

Rights Information

PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHY RIGHTS INFORMATION

  • Contact

    Ros Kavanagh

  • Email

    ros@roskavanagh.com

Source Of Information

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