Tron Theatre Launches Mayfesto 2016 Season

Since its inception in 2010, Mayfesto has focused on presenting thematically linked, edgy new work, including seasons on women in theatre, colonialism and conflict in the Middle East. The festival provides a platform for new writing and for 2016, Artistic Director, Andy Arnold has brought together a strong programme of work for a special season that looks back at historic events in Ireland, primarily the Easter Rising of 1916, as well as at contemporary theatre and issues in Ireland today. From masterpieces in modern Irish drama and award-winning new writing to the world premiere of Peter Arnott's Shall Roger Casement Hang?, Andy's programme uses the extraordinary power of theatre to mark one of the most significant events in Irish history.

Tron Theatre Company has commissioned acclaimed playwright Peter Arnott to create a new piece of theatre on the complex and contradictory figure, Roger Casement, Knight of the Realm, Irish Protestant, British Colonial diplomat and the man who heroically exposed the genocide and slavery in the rubber trade in the Belgian Congo and South America. Shall Roger Casement Hang? (20-28 May, Press Night: 21 May, 7.45pm) takes place in the bloody aftermath of the Rising, when the question of what to do with the rather inconvenient Ulsterman, undoubtedly guilty of treason against the British government, looms large. Hero, martyr or traitor, or all three, Peter Arnott's riveting new work forms the centerpiece of the festival.

We're delighted also to present the story of Edinburgh-born James Connolly, brutally executed for his part in the 1916 Rising, Connolly (6 & 7 May, 7.45pm). Written and directed by multi-award-winning team of playwright Martin McCardie and actor Brian McCardie (who plays Connolly in the RTE serial Rebellion), Connolly's own words, the recollections of fellow Irish volunteers and the testimony of his adored daughter Nora Connolly O'Brien are all used to bring a personal and human perspective to the momentous events of 1916.

Also in the main house, we welcome back Irish company Rough Magic with Stewart Parker's masterpiece of modern Irish drama Northern Star (11-14 May). Directed by Lynne Parker (who directed our stunning production of Beowulf for the Commonwealth Games Home Nations programme), Northern Star is the intriguing story of Belfast-born United Irishman, Henry Joy McCracken as he dissects the reasons for the failure of the 1798 rebellion. A rollicking journey through the missed opportunities of Irish history and with a focus on independence that resonates strongly with us Scots, Northern Star freewheels from the sublime to the ridiculous - a 'directly political play that manages to be vastly entertaining as well as intellectually supple' (Fintan O'Toole).

In our studio space, Tron Studio, our adult community drama company, have been working with director Fraser MacLeod on a devised piece, A Present State (12-14 May, 8pm), which used discussions around the Easter Rising as a starting point to explore power struggles, look at what unites and divides and ask questions about whether we can ever truly be free. Concluding our studio programme is Sunday's Child Theatre's award-winning one woman show, My Name is Saoirse (19-21 May, 8pm). Written and performed by Eva O'Connor, My Name is Saoirse is a moving story about an ordinary, extraordinary 15-year old girl growing up in 1980s rural, conservative, Catholic Ireland,

Discussion and debate have always be integral to the Mayfesto programme and this year, in light of the emergence of the #WakingtheFeminists movement in Ireland and research that showed men outnumber women in all areas of the cultural sector by a ratio of 2:1, Tron Theatre Company hosts two nights of readings of work by Irish and Scottish women writers, Challenging the 2:1 Ratio (3 & 4 May, 7.45pm) directed by Orla O'Loughlin and Muriel Romanes. Theatre critic and columnist, Joyce McMillan will chair a panel discussion on the 4 May that looks at the challenges faced by women writers in Scotland and Ireland today and panellists include Graham McLaren (Associate Director, NTS and Artistic Director designate, The Abbey), Pamela McQueen (freelance dramaturg and #WakingtheFeminists advocate), Orla O'Loughlin (Artistic Director, Traverse Theatre), Clare Duffy (Playwright) and Muriel Romanes (Theatre Director).

Artistic Director Andy Arnold says of the festival:
'Mayfesto, our annual festival that strives to present engaged and engaging work, is the perfect platform for my programme of work commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising. As a festival that has always endeavoured to challenge and provoke by showcasing edgy new writing, it's the perfect stage for powerful new drama from the best Scottish and Irish writers, theatre companies and performers working in the sector today, about one of the most significant events in Irish history'.

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