Jimmy Kerr's HOUSE STRICTLY PRIVATE to Receive Free Reading at Irish Rep

The Irish Repertory Theatre, which "encourages the development of works focusing on the Irish and Irish-American experience, and produces works of other cultures interpreted through the lens of an Irish sensibility," continues the 10th season of the Irish Rep Reading Series. A staged reading of Jimmy Kerr's play House Strictly Private will be held on Friday, February 26 at 3pm EST at the DR2 Theater, 103 East 15th Street (the Irish Repertory Theatre's temporary home during current renovations). The Irish Rep's literary manager, Kara Manning, will direct the reading. Tickets are free, and the event is open to the public. An RSVP to 212-727-2737 is suggested.

House Strictly Private is a dark-comedy set in rural Northern Ireland. The Irish love to laugh and they love to cry and the McCracken family are no exception, especially when an elderly uncle dies a lot sooner than any of them were expecting. Faced with an uncertain future and a distorted past, the McCrackens get the chance of a lifetime to break-up, or stick together.

House Strictly Private will be read by Billy Carter (The Weir, Port Authority), Jo Kinsella (For Love, Dancing at Lughnasa), and Jenny Sterlin (Design For Living, Major Barbara).

Jimmy Kerr (Playwright) trained as an actor at the William Esper Studio in New York. He holds a Masters degree in Creative Writing from the University of Edinburgh. Jimmy last appeared on stage in NY at a command performance of In Shorts, a collaboration with Geraldine Hughes at the Irish Repertory Theatre. Jimmy Kerr is the recipient of the 2013 Origin Award for Special Achievement; he is currently based in Belfast. His plays include Ardnaglass on the Air (1st Irish 2010).

Kara Manning, Literary Manager, hopes that the reading series will "give playwrights, both emerging and more established, the invaluable opportunity to develop their new work in a supportive, safe environment and will also introduce some Irish playwrights, especially those who might not yet have the New York recognition they merit, to an American audience."

The Irish Repertory Theatre, founded by Ciarán O'Reilly and Charlotte Moore, opened its doors in September 1988 with Sean O'Casey's The Plough and the Stars. The Irish Rep is currently the only year-round theatre company in New York City devoted to bringing Irish and Irish American works to the stage. Recognized with the Jujamcyn Theatres Award, a special Drama Desk Award for "Excellence in Presenting Distinguished Irish Drama," and the Lucille Lortel Award for "Outstanding Body of Work," The Irish Rep has celebrated the very best in Irish theatre for over twenty years, from the masters to the new generation of Irish and Irish American writers who are transforming the stage. Nearly 38,000 audience members annually attend productions at our theatre located in the heart of New York's Off Broadway community. Once here, they witness The Irish Rep's engaging perspective on the Irish and their unique contributions to the world of drama.

The 2015-16 Irish Rep Reading Series is underwritten in part by members of our Patron's Circle.

The Irish Rep Reading Series readings are at 3 PM unless otherwise noted and during theater renovations are held at the DR2 Theater (103 East 15th Street).

Tickets are free and the reading is open to the public. Seating is limited. RSVP by calling The Irish Repertory Theatre Box Office at (212) 727-2737. For more information visit www.irishrep.org.

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