Grace Collender

This December, the Abbey Theatre will present Abbey Calling - a new initiative, bringing brilliant pieces of literature directly into the homes of those feeling isolated. A partnership with mental health charity, Aware, Abbey Calling sees 50 of Ireland's leading actors make up to 2,000 phone calls.

Formerly banned by the Irish censorship board in 1950's Ireland, The Country Girls tells the tale of love in all its incarnations: unconditional, dutiful, compassionate, possessive, devoted, illicit, unrequited, first love. Two fiercely smart young girls have their delicate bonds cemented during a fateful day of triumph and tragedy. Kate (Grace Collender) and Baba (Lola Petticrew) were a marvellous double act. Solemn friends, confidants, partners in crime, frenemies. Youthful (were they 16 or were they 24?) and delightfully polished actors, Kate and Baba navigated us through the turbulent waters of innocent, naive love. With the blind leading the blind, we witnessed their recurrent shipwrecks in slow motion, then they resolutely reassembled and set sail again.

After opening to rave reviews in Dublin, Ireland, FIND YOUR WAY HOME (An Irish Musical) is making its American debut. Written by Jeff Strange and Jimmy Kelly, two Albany, NY musicians well known on the Irish Music scene, the show has been in development for the past eight years.