1st Irish 2011 Monthlong Festival Kicks Off September 5th

The fourth annual edition of 1st Irish, New York's only all-Irish theatre festival, runs from September 5 to October 3. Coordinated by the New York-based Origin Theatre Company (artistic director George C. Heslin), the month-long festival features plays by 16 contemporary Irish playwrights spanning a range theatrical genres and styles, with the collaboration of 18 theatres and arts organizations from here and abroad. Among the plays being presented are six American premieres and one New York premiere. 1st Irish 2011 concludes on Monday October 3 with an Awards Ceremony at which the festival's jury will honor the outstanding performances and productions.

The American companies presenting work at the festival include:
Mabou Mines with the New York premiere of "Lucia's Chapters Coming Forth by Day," written and directed by Sharon Fogarty and starring Ruth Maleczech, September 14 to 25 at P.S. 122; The Mint's production of the American premiere of "Temporal Powers" by Teresa Deevy (the festival's only deceased playwright), now playing through September 25; Origin Theatre Co. with "Breaking Ground" -- 6 young writers present their ideas for new work in a rehearsal room setting -- an event that shows and tells, taking place on Saturday September 24, 3:15pm, at A.R.T. Studios at 520; the British National Theatre of America (Las Vegas) with the American premiere of "Reflections" at Stage Left Studio Theatre, September 15 to October 2; Tir Na Theatre Co. (Boston) with a reading of "Dawnhurst" at the American Irish Historical Society, Monday September 26 at 7pm; Inis Nua (Philadelphia) with the New York premiere of "Dublin by Lamplight" at 59E59 Theaters from September 8 to October 2; Queens Irish Center with a special screening of "Mickey Bo and Me," a film inspired by the award-winning play "Mojo Mickey Bo" that premiered at 1st Irish in 2008 -- Friday September 16 at 8:15pm (excerpts from play will be seen before the screening).

The theatre companies bringing work to the festival from Ireland include:
Fishamble (Dublin) with "Noah and the Tower Flower" by Sean McLoughlin at 78th Street Theatre Lab -- September 7 to October 2; Tall Tales (Navan) with "Bogboy" by Deirdre Kinahan at the Irish Arts Center -- September 7 to 25; Cirque de Légume (County Sligo) with "Cirque de Légume" at 59E59 Theaters, September 6 to October 2; and Brassneck Theatre Company (West Belfast) with "A Night with George" at the Times Square Arts Center, September 5 to October 2. These four American premieres from Ireland are part of Imagine Ireland, Culture Ireland's year of Irish arts in America.

This year's Panel Events:
"Challenge for the Actor," a free interactive panel discussion, featuring actors in the festival, that opens a window onto the creative process of working on Irish plays. Thursday September 22 at 7pm at NYU's Glucksman Ireland House, 1 Washington Mews (between West 8th Street and Washington Square N.). Free, reservations recommended, 212/998-3950.

Another panel event, at the NY Public Library for the Performing Arts in Lincoln Center, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, focuses on the growth of a thriving theatre and cultural scene in Northern Ireland. Tuesday September 20, 6:30pm. First come, first served.

News from 1st Irish:
"The Prophet of Monto," seen last year in a production from Washington D.C.-based Irish theatre company Solas Nua, is being presented this year, at the end of November, at Axis: Ballymun in Dublin. Georganne Heller is producing this transfer.

Up-and-coming playwright Deirdre Kinahan of Tall Tales Co., who made her U.S. debut with the critically acclaimed "Hue & Cry" in last year's festival, returns with "Bog Boy." The highly anticipated production begins its run at The Irish Arts Center on September 7.

Mary Murray, who won the Festival's Best Actress Award in 2009 for her role in the critically acclaimed "The Pride of Parnell Street," returns to the Festival this year in another Fishamble production, "Noah and the Tower Flower" by Sean McLoughlin.

Festival Sponsors:
Funding support for 1st Irish 2011 is generously provided by the Festival Sponsors: the Irish Government, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; the Arts Council of Northern Ireland; the Northern Ireland Bureau; the Irish Consulate NY; Tourism Ireland; the Irish Arts Council - An Chomhairle Ealaíon; Imagine Ireland, Culture Ireland's year of Irish arts in America; the American Ireland Fund; Mutual of America; The Irish Examiner; McVicker & Higginbotham; NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and the NY State Council for the Arts.

1st Irish, powered by Origin Theatre Company, runs from September 5 through October 3. 1st Irish is New York's first and only all-Irish theatre festival. For festival information and to learn how to vote for this year's Audience Choice Award for Best Play, visit www.1stIrish.org