Acclaimed novel set for world theatricl premiere in Nenagh
Theatre group adapt Donal Ryan's work
Decadent Theatre Company and Galway Arts Centre announce the world premiere of From a Low and Quiet Sea, adapted for the stage from Donal Ryan’s acclaimed novel. The play previews in Nenagh Arts Centre on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, July 6-8, at 8pm.
The original adaptation of Ryan’s Booker Prize nominated novel is a collaboration between the author, the cast, and Decadent Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, Andrew Flynn, who also directs.
From a Low and Quiet Sea is Ryan’s carefully crafted portrait of the intersecting lives of four souls - the refugee, the mother, the dreamer, and the penitent - each searching for something they have lost and trying to make sense of the roads they have chosen.
From war-torn Syria to smalltown Ireland, they are scarred by all they have loved and lost. They are drawn towards a powerful reckoning, one that will bring them together in the most unexpected of ways.
These indelible characters will be brought to life on stage by Aosaf Afzal (Farouk), Darragh O’Toole (Lampy), Maeve Fitzgerald (Florence) and Lorcan Cranitch (John). This is Maeve’s sixth role with Decadent Theatre Company.
Both natives of Nenagh, Andrew Flynn and Donal Ryan have form as creative collaborators. Flynn (along with Jarlath Tivan) adapted Ryan’s novel, The Thing About December, for the stage in 2019.
Ryan is the author of five best-selling novels and a short story collection. His debut novel, The Spinning Heart (2013), was also nominated for the Man Booker Prize and was voted Irish Book of the Decade in 2016 in a nationwide poll run by Dublin Book Festival. His many awards include the European Union Prize for Literature, the Guardian First Book Award, and three Irish Book Awards.
His books have been translated into more than 20 languages. He lectures in Creative Writing at the University of Limerick. Andrew Flynn has been Artistic Director of Decadent Theatre Company since 2000. One of Ireland’s busiest directors, his latest production was the spring 2022 national tour of David Harrower’s Blackbird.
In its review, the Sunday Independent said: “Andrew Flynn has mounted a splendid production with sustained high-octane performances from Maeve Fitzgerald and Declan Conlon.”
Flynn’s other recent directorial work includes The Lonesome West; Eden; A Love Like That; The Thing About December; Pumpgirl; Port Authority; The Mai; A Skull in Connemara; Someone Who'll Watch Over Me; Wit; and The Cripple of Inishmaan for Gaiety Productions. Andrew Flynn and Donal Ryan were recipients of a 2021 Elevate bursary grant to adapt and workshop the script of From a Low and Quiet Sea.
Decadent Theatre Company gratefully acknowledges the support of the Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon; Tipperary County Council; Galway County Council.
TICKET DETAILS
Preview performances are in Nenagh Arts Centre on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, July 6-8, at 8pm. Tickets priced at €18/€15 are available at Nenagh Arts Centre Box office, 067 34400 or online at www.nenagarts.com.