Kelly AuCoin and Peter Maloney Set for THE QUARE LAND Reading at Irish Rep Today

The Irish Repertory Theatre continues the eighth season of its Reading Series with John McManus's play The Quare Land, which will be read by Kelly AuCoin (The Call, Julius Caesar) and Peter Maloney (Outside Mullingar, John Guare's Three Kinds of Exile). The reading of The Quare Land will take place today, April 25 at 3pm on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage of the Irish Repertory Theatre (132 W. 22nd Street). The reading is FREE and open to the public. An RSVP to the Irish Repertory Theatre Box Office at (212) 727-2737 is strongly suggested.

In The Quare Land, 90-year-old Cavan bachelor farmer Hugh Pugh is taking his first bath in four years when he receives an unexpected visitor - Rob McNulty, a property developer under pressure to buy a field in order to extend his nine-hole golf course in Leitrim. He expects to be able to negotiate a quick deal but since Hugh seldom has any visitors to his lonely farmstead, he is not about to let Rob slip away without a big chat first. Rob eventually gets Hugh to discuss selling the field and when it comes to negotiating a price for the land Hugh proves himself to be far from the 'eejit' he makes himself out to be. The two men come to an agreement, but at a cost to both of them.

John McManus (Playwright) is from Ballyconnell in County Cavan. His first play was No Hate Going To Loss, a radio drama which won the RTE P.J. O'Connor award in 2005. He came joint third in the same competition in 2008 with Will You Swap Knees With Me? His first stage play, A Lock of Fierce Roars, was given a public reading by Druid Theatre Company in 2008. The Quare Land, was first produced in the 2010 Galway Arts Festival by the Galway Arts Centre and Decadent Theatre Company. It toured Ireland with Decadent in 2011 and again in 2013 with an independent theatre company called Moth Productions who are currently also touring his A Lock of Fierce Roars. He completed the New Playwrights Programme at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin in 2013 and has a play, Klondike in development with the Abbey literary department.

The Irish Repertory Theatre "encourages the development of works focusing on the Irish and Irish American experience, as well as a range of other cultures." According to Kara Manning, Irish Rep's Literary Manager, "This Reading Series aims to 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 2013-14 Irish Rep Reading Series is underwritten in part by Alexis Doyle, Patricia Smith, and the members of the Irish Rep's Patron's Circle.

Founded by Ciarán O'Reilly and Charlotte Moore, The Irish Repertory Theatre 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 Irish Rep Reading Series readings are at 3 PM unless otherwise noted and are located at The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd 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.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

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