Abbey Theatre Presents LITTLE GEM

The Abbey Theatre is delighted to present the Gúna Nua/Civic Theatre production of LITTLE GEM, by play-writing newcomer ELAINE MURPHY, at the Peacock from 20 January until 27 February 2010. The first production of the new year, LITTLE GEM at the Abbey demonstrates the National Theatre's commitment to continue supporting and collaborating with the best of the country's artistic talent.

A play about three generations of women and one extraordinary year of sex, birth, death and salsa classes, LITTLE GEM has garnered stunning reviews and multiple awards since it first opened at the 2008 Dublin Fringe Festival.

Under the skilful direction of Paul Meade, actors Hilda Fay, Anita Reeves and Sarah Greene brilliantly thread together the lives of Kay, Lorraine and Amber as they cope with the daily pressures of modern living and the heartbreaking toll of inevitable tragedies.

Set design for LITTLE GEM is by Alice Butler, sound design by Carl Kennedy while lighting design is created by Mark Galione.

Elaine Murphy started her career as an actress and has appeared in numerous television shows and films including Lenny Abrahamsson's Prosperity, Becoming Jane alongside Anne Hathaway, and the award winning Pure Mule. She has recently wrapped filming on the romantic comedy Happy Ever Afters and will appear in RTE's The Clinic this year as patient Gerri Foley. LITTLE GEM was her debut play and won the Fishamble Award for Best New Irish Writing at the 2008 Dublin Fringe Festival. The same year it was also nominated for Best New Play at the Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards. Following a sell-out run in the Traverse Theatre at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, LITTLE GEM won the much coveted Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award. The award brings the show to New York, covering all costs and expenses, for a run at the off-Broadway Flea Theatre in January 2010 (prior to its Peacock opening), including a showcase for producers at the strategically important arts presenters' conference Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP).