Jim Norton, Gillian Hanna & Conor MacNeill to Star in Reading of Jim Nolan's BRIGHTON, 5/12

Jim Norton (currently in "Of Mice and Men"), and Gillian Hanna and Conor MacNeill (both currently in the "The Cripple of Inishmaan") are taking part in a reading of Irish playwright Jim Nolan's "Brighton" on Monday May 12 at 7pm. A popular voice in Ireland, Nolan will be in New York for the event, which is presented by Origin Theatre Company as part of its 10th annual Mondays of May play reading series.

This year, Origin's Mondays in May series features readings of plays from Ireland and Norway. Presented at NYU's Glucksman Ireland House, 1 Washington Mews, with the participation of the Norwegian Consulate General in New York, the next plays in the series are "The Boy of Oystein" by Ulsberg Brager, directed by Alicia Dyana House (Monday May 19), "Man Without Purpose" by Arne Lygre, directed by Henning Hegland (Monday May 26). All the readings are at 7pm, and are free to the public. RSVP advised at info@origintheatre.org

A funny and touching drama, "Brighton" traces the developing friendship between an older woman and a much younger man, both recuperating in a London nursing home. The play is directed by Matt Torney. Nolan's other plays seen in New York include "Moonshine" and "The Salvage Shop."

Under artistic director George C. Heslin, Origin Theatre Company is the city's only theatre company devoted to presenting the American premieres of new works by Europe's brightest contemporary playwrights. So far the work of 42 playwrights have been introduced to US audiences by Origin, including such distinguished writers as Enda Walsh ("Once"), Mark O'Rowe ("Terminus"), and Lucy Caldwell. Origin produces the annual Origin's 1st Irish Festival, the city's only all-Irish theatre festival, in September.

Origin kicks off its 13th season at its Spring Benefit hosted by Mutual of America on Wednesday June 4. The event will honor Noel Kilkenny, Ireland's popular outgoing Consul General in New York (and his wife Honora), and David Michaels, president of the Foreign Press Association.
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