Old Red Lion to Present PORTIA COUGHLAN & THE VERB, 'TO LOVE' 4/28-5/23

Aria Entertainment is taking over the Old Red Lion this May to present a revival of the renowned Portia Coughlan by Marina Carr and the world premiere of a new musical The Verb, 'To Love' by Andy Collyer.

Portia Coughlan is a ferocious, haunting and beautiful Irish tale by Marina Carr writer of By The Bog of Cats, The Mai and Ullaloo.

Portia Coughlan lives in a monstrous limbo, haunted by a yearning for her spectral twin brother lying at the bottom of the Belmont River, unable to find any love for her wealthy husband and children, seeking solace in soulless affairs, deeply afraid of what she might do. Written to celebrate the centenary of Dublin's National Maternity Hospital, Portia Coughlan packs a hell of a punch. It hurts to look at it. But it has to be seen. (Irish Independent). Last performed at The Royal Court Theatre in 1996, this exciting revival at the Old Red Lion is directed by Bronagh Lagan (Rags-in concert (West End), Girlfriends (Union Theatre), Henry VI Part 1 (Rose theatre).

Running in tandem is the world premiere of new musical, The Verb, 'To Love' directed by Jonathan O'Boyle (Bash Latterday Plays (Trafalgar Studios), Made in Britain (Old Red Lion) and Assistant Director of The Scottsboro Boys.). The Verb, 'To Love' explores, in an intimate musical, the complications of changing relationships, and the power of different kinds of love; 'The verb 'to love' has so many meanings...'

Simon is lost, abandoned by James, his partner of twenty-three years. He is alone for the first time, until he finds Ben, the great love of his life, a young man seventeen years his junior, and finds himself rejuvenated and fulfilled in a way he never knew possible. They share the complications of falling in love, undergoing upheavals and experiencing change, until it all falls apart. But does it?

Producer Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment comments: It's so wonderful to have the opportunity to present a double bill at The Old Red Lion Theatre next season. Both play and musical are dramatic and bold pieces of theatre and I hope our audiences will gain something memorable by their experience at our productions.

The Verb, 'To Love' is supported by Grant for the Arts.