by Marina Carr, Stacey Gregg, Emmet Kirwan, Louise Lowe, Mark O’Rowe, Enda Walsh + six emerging writers; Iseult Deane, Susannah Al Fraihat, Aoibhéann McCann, Joy Nesbitt, Ois O’Donoghue and Aoife Delany Reade Landmark Productions and Octopus Theatricals
★★★★★ ‘An exhilarating sense of aliveness’ – The Guardian
Part confessional, part peep-show booth, and completely visceral, 12 short 5-min plays will be performed by one actor for one audience member at a time in a purpose-built booth as part of Cork Midsummer Festival 2024.
Returning following its triumphant Irish premiere at Cork Midsummer Festival 2019, Theatre for One: This Ireland features the six original writers (Marina Carr, Stacey Gregg, Emmet Kirwan, Louise Lowe, Mark O’Rowe and Enda Walsh), working with an electric line-up of new writers (Iseult Deane, Susannah Al Fraihat, Aoibhéann McCann, Joy Nesbitt, Ois O’Donoghue and Aoife Delany Reade), whose short plays were selected from a nationwide public call-out.
One booth, 12 voices and a uniquely intimate experience for every audience member.
Conceived and created by the Olivier and Tony Award-winning designer Christine Jones, and constructed by LOT-EK architects, each original 5-minute play is written specifically for this specially-designed, state-of-the-art theatre for one actor and one audience member at a time. It’s completely free – no tickets required – just join the queue.
Each of the six new writers will be paired with one of the six leading playwrights and will receive one-to-one mentorship as they work on their plays. The pairings are as follows.
Marina Carr will mentor Iseult Deane
Stacey Gregg will mentor Aoibhéann McCann
Emmet Kirwan will mentor Susannah Al Fraihat
Louise Lowe will mentor Ois O’Donoghue
Mark O’Rowe will mentor Aoife Delany Reade
Enda Walsh will mentor Joy Nesbitt
The six plays presented in 2019 were: Cygnum Canticum by Marina Carr; Brilliant by Stacey Gregg; Queen of the Pyramids by Emmet Kirwan; Bait by Louise Lowe; The Spur by Mark O’Rowe and Cave by Enda Walsh.
In December 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Irish Government approved a limited run of Theatre for One, together with Theatre for One (and a Little One) at the Abbey Theatre from 18-23 December, 2020. Presented by the Abbey Theatre and Dublin Theatre Festival, it was supported by Accenture and Dublin City Council.
Cast 2019
Frank BlakeDerbhle CrottyKate GilmoreSeán McGinleyKathy Rose O’BrienEileen WalshCast 2020
Peter CampionDerbhle CrottyKate GilmoreÚna KavanaghSeán McGinleyKathy Rose O’BrienWriters 2019 & 2020
Written by Marina CarrStacey GreggEmmet KirwanLouise LoweMark O’RoweEnda WalshDirectors 2019 & 2020
Directed by Eoghan CarrickSrđa VasiljevićWriters 2024
Written by Marina CarrIseult DeaneSusannah Al FraihatStacey GreggEmmet KirwanLouise LoweAoibhéann McCannJoy NesbittOis O’DonoghueMark O’RoweAoife Delany ReadeEnda WalshDirectors 2024
Directed by Eoghan CarrickGrace MorganSrđa VasiljevićPRODUCTION IMAGERY
