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Plays

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The Táin Bó Cuailgne

OVERVIEW

  • Playwright

    Joe O'Byrne 

  • Author Notes

    An adaptation of the Gaelic myth.

  • Synopsis

    A retelling in dance, drama and music of the epic stories of the rage of Queen Medbh, the valour of Cuchullain, the tragedy of Ferdia and the shame of Fionnabar.

  • Play Type

    Adaptation/Translation

    Number Of Acts

    Full-Length

  • Cast Size Male

    9

  • Cast Size Female

    7

  • Cast Notes

    In the original production additional unspecified characters were played by members of the cast and three musicians also played live.

ORIGINAL PRODUCTION

Original Cast  
Cuchulainn Paul Walker
Sualdam Sean Madden
The Poet Andrew Bennett
Musician John McKeown
Dancer Robert Connor
Conchobor, King of Ulster Robert Connor
Finnabair Michelle Houlden
Medbh Julie Byrne
Fergus Liam Heffernan
Ferdia Carl Marrey
The Fool Carl Marrey
Dancer Mags Byrne
King Buan's daughter Mags Byrne
Ailill Seamus Power
Mac Roth William Kennedy (2)
The Morrigan Emma Scott
Soloist Emma Scott
The Badb Grace Dunne
Dancer Aideen Gohery
The Nemain Aideen Gohery
Emer Laura Macken
Dancer Laura Macken
Musician Mario N'goma
Musician John O'Brien (2)
Production Team  
Director Joe O'Byrne
Set Designer Ian McNicholl
Producer Declan Gorman
Lighting Designer Liam O'Neill
Costume Designer Marie Tierney
Choreographer Loretta Yurick
Mime Director William Kennedy (2)
Composer John McKeown
Music by John McKeown
Musical Director Rebecca Roper
Assistant Director Rebecca Roper
Design Assistant Olwen Weekes
Masks Annabel Konig
Administration Assistant Louise Donnelly
Production Manager David Butler
Stage Manager Paula Tierney
Lighting Operator Mark Waldron
Scenic Artist Kealan McCluskey
Scenic Artist Adrian Crowley
Fly Operator Dermot Allen
Sound Engineer Yvonne Donnelly
PR Kate Bowe (Bowe Communications)
Graphic Design Louise Donnelly
Illustrator Barbara Dempsey (1)
Photography Cathal Dawson
Administrator Kate Bowe (Bowe Communications)

UNPUBLISHED SCRIPTS

RIGHTS INFORMATION

  • Territory

    All Territories

  • Rights Type

    Adaptation rights

  • Contact

    Joe O'Byrne

  • Email

    joeob@iol.ie

SOURCE OF INFORMATION

Information for this entry was taken from the original production programme and from the 1991 Dublin Theatre Festival programme.