Sparkling dialogue and surprising twists in critically acclaimed play

I Keano director Terry Byrne brings his acclaimed production of Elysium Nevada to the Town Hall Theatre from Monday next, January 24 to Wednesday, January 26. The play, written by Carlow playwright Barry McKinley, got rave reviews from the critics when first presented in Bewleys Cafe Theatre last year, and was nominated as best new play in the 2010 Irish Times Theatre Awards.

An Arts Council supported tour followed, which took the show to many regional venues in Ireland. Then, it had a highly successful run in Glasgow, where it played to packed houses and renewed critical acclaim.

Elysium Nevada is set in a retirement home on the edge of the Nevada Desert, with two grumpy old men, played in Odd Couple mode by Steve Curran and Ian Blackmore. They are chewing the fat over the old days and pondering how the grim reaper sneaks up in soft shoes armed with “a baseball bat”, while at the same time berating the young and their lack of manners and obsession with sex.  

The darkly comic play turns on its head as the elderly hot ‘babe’ of the first act with the oxygen mask (Ann Russell) joins the conversation. New truths are revealed in a fascinating and poignant conclusion. Writing in The Glasgow Herald, Alan Chadwick was full of praise for the play: ‘Packed with punchy one-liners, the setting and quirky style of the piece brings to mind Sam Shepard, but what emerges is nearer Beckett. This could be Endgame with Hamm and Clov in wheelchairs and Hawaiian shirts . . .Terry Byrne’s production acquires an ever increasing poignancy. . .brimming with apocalyptic undertones.’

Also included in the programme is a short play, Lost City, by the same author Barry McKinley. Hiram, a reclusive middle-aged Irishman in his work-shed has fantasies of wild adventure including the search for the lost city of the Incas in the South American jungle, while he plans a special revenge on his violent father who has dominated and damaged his life.

It promises to be an excellent night’s theatre.

Booking for the plays is now open at 091 569 777 or on line at the Town Hall’s website www.tht.ie