Sean Gormley & David Lansbury to Lead Reading of KING FISHERS CATCH FIRE 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 Robin Glendinning's play King Fishers Catch Fire will be held on Friday, March 25, at 3pm EST at the DR2 Theater, (the Irish Repertory Theatre's temporary home during recent 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.

In King Fishers Catch Fire, Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, a Kerry priest who was stationed in Rome during World War II, visits his old enemy, a former Gestapo officer who is serving a life sentence in prison. In the horrific aftermath of this war, are redemption, faith, understanding, and friendship possible? Based on a true story, the play is a taut exploration of two very different men.

King Fishers Catch Fire will be read by Sean Gormley (Irish Rep's THE WEIR, DA), reading the part of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty; and David Lansbury (WAR HORSE, HEDDA GABLER, MAJOR BABRARA on Broadway), reading the Herbert Kappler.

Robin Glendinning (Playwright) stage plays include Jennifer's Vacation, the Gate Theatre Dublin, and Stuffing It at Tricycle Theatre London. Also, Culture Vultures, Lyric Theatre Belfast and Minerva Theatre Chichester; Mumbo Jumbo (Joint winner of the Mobil Theatre Award 1986) Manchester Royal Exchange and the Lyric Hammersmith; Donny Boy (Winner of the Manchester Evening News and Martini Rossi Provincial Theatre Award for Best New Play 1991) Manchester Royal Exchange, Theatre Royal Oslo and on tour in Ireland with Tinder Box Theatre; and Summer House in the Druid Theatre Galway and the Ulster Theatre Company in the Group Theatre Belfast. He has written thirty radio plays for the BBC; was nominated for a Sony Award for his "Condemning Violence" in 1987 and received a Giles Cooper Award for "The Words are Strange" in 1991. Most recent radio plays include "The Windsor Jewells" (2007) and "Edith's Story" (2010) and "Operation Black Buck," (2012) and "Lizzy Barry's Lesson" (2015). Three of his other plays were rebroadcast the same year. His short stories in English and Irish have been published in Irish journals.

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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