Making History by Brian Friel at The Everyman, Cork

“History has to be made – before it’s remade”

A secret marriage. An international alliance. A holy war.

Ireland, 1591…

Gaelic Ireland is on the brink of extinction under English occupation. Hugh O’Neill and Mabel Bagenal have married in secret. Irish clans have joined forces with the Spanish, and the Battle of Kinsale is about to change the course of Irish history…

First performed by Field Day in 1988, the play follows Gaelic leader Hugh O’Neill in the events before and after the Battle of Kinsale and examines who gets to decide how history is recorded, told and retold. This major revival of Brian Friel’s masterpiece about resistance, revolution and the remaking of heroes is directed by The Everyman’s new Artistic Director Des Kennedy.

For the first time ever, the role of O’Neill will be played by 2 actors, who will play Hugh at different points in his life – Aaron McCusker and Cork acting legend DenisConway. They will be joined by Liadán Dunlea, Martha Dunlea, Peter Gowen, Aron Hegarty, Chris McHallem, Stephen O’Leary and Ray Scannell.