THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE to premiere ACT, 10/21.

ACT concludes its 2010 Mainstage season with the much anticipated Seattle premiere of The Lieutenant of Inishmore by Oscar-winning author Martin McDonagh. Directed by ACT Artistic Director Kurt Beattie, this gleefully gruesome black comedy revolves around Padraic (Jeffrey Fracé), a merciless Irish terrorist deemed too extreme for the IRA, and his obsessive love for his black cat, Wee Thomas. Wee Thomas is Padraic's only friend, and when Padraic learns of Wee Thomas' untimely and unnatural death, the carnage begins. His short list of suspects includes his father Donny (Seán G. Griffin) and his neighbor Davey (MJ Sieber). Aiding Padraic in his bloody quest for vengeance is Mairead (Elise Hunt), a young terrorist groupie, and stalking him are three of his fellow Irish National Liberation Army members (Tim Hyland, David Roby, and Brian D. Simmons), looking for vengeance of their own.

"An instinct for the absurd is probably a requirement for any comic talent, and Martin McDonagh is exceedingly good at making comedy out of unfunny things. The destination of his plots is usually an absurd one, because only in an absurd world could violence be understood as a natural form of problem solving, as it seems to be in almost everything he has written," said Director Kurt Beattie. "In The Lieutenant of Inishmore, McDonagh brilliantly spotlights and skewers the horrific extent of the savagery in Northern Ireland during the latter half of the 20th century. Because McDonagh is so audaciously entertaining, and such a good storyteller, it's easy for us to forget that his play is really centered in the realities of this tragic chapter of Irish history."

A highly technical (and fun!) show, featuring plenty of theatre tricks, gallons of blood, and gruesome body dismemberment, ACT has been in preparation for over a year in the making of this Seattle premiere. The Lieutenant of Inishmore was first performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company at The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, England, on April 11, 2001. It was produced off-Broadway at the Atlantic Theater Company in 2006 before transferring to Broadway and receiving a 2006 Tony Award nomination for Best Play.

Performance Schedule:

Fri., October 15, 8:00 p.m. (Previews begin)

Sat., October 16, 8:00 p.m.

Sun., October 17, 7:30 p.m. (Pay what You Will)

Tue., October 19, 7:30 p.m. (Behind the Scenes, 6:00 p.m.)

Wed., October 20, 7:30 p.m. (Apple Series, 6:00 p.m.)

Thurs., October 21, 7:30 p.m. OPENING NIGHT

Fri., October 22, 8:00 p.m.

Sat., October 23, 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Sun, October 24, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tue., October 26, 7:30 p.m. (Post-play Discussion, 7:30 p.m.)

Wed., October 27, 7:30 p.m.

Thurs., October 28, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Pay What You Will, 2:00 p.m. ONLY)

Fri, October 29, 8:00 p.m. (Tastings, 6:30 p.m.)

Sat., October 30, 8:00 p.m.

Sun., October 31, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Post-play Discussion, 2:00 p.m.)

Tue., November 2, 7:30 p.m.

Wed, November 3, 7:30 p.m.

Thurs., November 4, 7:30 p.m.

Fri., November 5, 8:00 p.m.

Sat., November 6, 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Sun., November 7, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Post-play Discussion, 7:30 p.m.)

Wed., November 10, 11:00 a.m. (Student Matinee)

Wed., November 10, 7:30 p.m.

Thurs., November 11, 7:30 p.m.

Fri., November 12, 8:00 p.m.

Sat., November 13, 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. (Audio-described performance, 2:00 p.m.)

Sun., November 14, 2:00 p.m.

ACT Special Events (open to the public):

Behind the Scenes, Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

Before the Tuesday night preview of a Mainstage production, Artistic Director Kurt Beattie and members of ACT's artistic team give you the heads-up and the lowdown on what it takes to make that night's magic. Seeing the show another night? Don't let that stop you; we still welcome you to come for the Behind-the-Scenes chat! Brought to you by KING FM with delicious bites provided by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering.

 

Apple Series, Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

ACT's Apple Series includes a ticket to each Wednesday preview on the 2010 Mainstage season and features a pre-show conversation with the artistic staff and guest speakers on topics including themes of the show, production elements, collaborating with artists, and more that will have every educator's mouth watering. The Apple Series is for current Washington state teachers and administrators.

Tastings, Friday, October 29, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

ACT unveils a delicious new tradition: beers, wines, and beverages from around the world, paired with local artisan foods-all matched to fit the theme of our Mainstage productions! Keith Johnsen, host of last year's Beer Tastings, will search his vast collection of spirits, as well as the bountiful variety of local markets, to procure the perfect show-themed treats for you. Please join us for this new and exciting FREE event!

About ACT - A Contemporary Theatre

Located in the heart of downtown Seattle and serving a population of curious, open-minded, and brave audiences, ACT - A Contemporary Theatre is the only local theatre in Seattle dedicated to producing contemporary work with promising playwrights and local performing artists since 1965. A theatre of new ideas, ACT serves as a cultural engine that makes plays, dance, music, and film that touch us. Because contemporary life demands examination, ACT is driven to inspire and strengthen our diverse community through works that advance our understanding of human life. With more than 100,000 people who attend shows annually, ACT is an interactive community where artists and the public witness, contemplate, and engage in dialogue on today's thought-provoking issues, ideas and art, presented with intelligence, insight, and humor.

 

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