Irish Company Pan Pan Returning to NYC with THE SEAGULL AND OTHER BIRDS, 3/23-4/2

Abrons Arts Center is pleased to present the U.S. premiere of The Seagull and Other Birds by celebrated Irish theater company Pan Pan. The production, running March 23-April 2, is a roller coaster reimagining of Anton Chekhov's much-loved comic masterpiece.

The performance centers around a concise new version of The Seagull integrated with works by Dick Walsh, Derrick Devine and Dan Riordan specially commissioned by the company. The Seagull and Other Birds goes inside the creative minds of Chekhov's iconic characters and imagines what creative masterpieces they might harbor - Konstantin's play is just one among many. In this wormhole of a new work performed by a cast of six, Chekhov's characters find themselves in extraordinarily different contexts: classic plays, TV shows, YouTube and stuff they've just made up. The result is playful and uncompromising - expect lots of talk about art, some action, and tons of love.

One of Ireland's earliest contemporary theater companies, Pan Pan was founded in 1991 by co-artistic directors Aedín Cosgrove and Gavin Quinn. The company has constantly examined and challenged the nature of its work and has resisted settling into well tried formulas. Developing new performance ideas is at the center of the company's raison d'être, which is born from a desire to be individual and provide innovation in the development of theatre art. All the works created are original, either through the writing (original plays) or through the totally unique expression and staging of established writings.

Performances of The Seagull and Other Birds will take place March 23-April 2 at Abrons Arts Center (466 Grand St. Manhattan). Critics are welcome as of March 23 for an official opening March 26. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by visiting abronsartscenter.org or calling 212.352.3101.

The creative team features Grace O'Hara (Costume Design), Simon Doyle (Dramaturgy). The Seagull and Other Birds is performed by Andrew Bennett (Angela's Ashes, Pentecost, The Playboy of the Western World), Gina Moxley, (LIPPY, The Butcher Boy) Una McKevitt (Singlehood), Daniel Reardon (LIPPY), Judith Roddy (A Particle of Dread, Signature Theater) and Dick Walsh (Dangerman).

About the artists

Gavin Quinn (Director) is a graduate of the Samuel Beckett Centre, Trinity College Dublin. He is, with Aedín Cosgrove, co-founder and joint artistic director of Pan Pan. He has directed all Pan Pan productions along with a number of operas for Opera Theatre Company and Opera Ireland. Quinn and Pan Pan regularly bring shows to world-renowned venues & festivals such as Edinburgh International Festival BAM, Sydney Festival, Melbourne Festival, PICA, Beijing Pioneer Theatre & PS122. Recent productions include The Rehearsal, Playing the Dane (Winner of Best Production & Best Set Design Irish Times Theatre Awards 2011), All That Fall (Winner of Best Sound Design & Best Lighting Design, Irish Times Theatre Awards 2012) & Embers (Winner of Best Set Design Irish Times Theatre Awards 2013). In 2015 Quinn made his directing debut at the Abbey Theatre with Midsummer's Night Dream.

Aedín Cosgrove (Set & Lighting Designer) is co-founder and joint artistic director of Pan Pan. Outside her work with Pan Pan, she worked with Corcadorca Theatre Company designing all aspects of the original productions of Disco Pigs and Misterman by Enda Walsh. More recently she has worked with Corcadorca on The Big Yum Yum by Pat McCabe. She has also designed for Abbey Theatre productions A Midsummer Night's Dream (2015), Perve by Stacey Gregg (2012), Sucking Dublin by Enda Walsh (1997) and The Mai by Marina Carr (1994). Other productions for theatre, dance and opera include Man of Valour (The Corn Exchange Theatre Company, 2011, Best Overall Design ABSOLUT Fringe 2011 and Best Lighting Design, Irish Times Theatre Awards 2012), No Worst There Is None (The Stomach Box, 2010, Best Production Irish Times Theatre Awards), Five Ways to Drown, Falling Song (Junk Ensemble, 2010, 2012), Dogs Emma Martin Dance (Best Overall Design ABSOLUT Fringe 2012) Don Pasquale, Carmen (Opera Theatre Company, 2012, 2013),The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny Rough Magic Theatre Company (2014). Cosgrove also works as designer with the CrashEnsemble.

About Abrons Arts Center

The Abrons Arts Center is the Obie award-winning performing and visual arts program of Henry Street Settlement. The Abrons supports the creation and presentation of innovative, multi-disciplinary work; cultivates artists in all stages of their practice with educational programs, mentorships, residencies and commissions; and serves as an intersection of engagement for local, national and international audiences and arts-workers.

Each year the Abrons offers over 250 performances, 12 gallery exhibitions and 30 residencies for performing and studio artists, and 100 different classes in dance, music, theater, and visual art. The Abrons also provides New York City public schools with teaching artists, introducing more than 3,000 students to the arts. www.abronsartscenter.org