Druid to stage Tom Murphy’s version of a Chekhov classic

Druid Theatre will stage Anton Chekhov’s classic play, The Cherry Orchard, in a version by the late Tuam playwright Tom Murphy at Galway’s Black Box Theatre next February. This adaption, which premiered at the Abbey Theatre in 2004, will be directed by Druid’s Artistic Director Garry Hynes and will be the company’s first production for 2020.

In this play about land, legacy and the struggle between tradition and change, the owner of a large estate, Madame Ranyevskaya, returns after a five-year absence to pay off her many bills and to save her house and renowned cherry orchard. But things don’t go to plan.

Marking the first major production of Tom’s work since his death in 2018, Druid’s new production will feature the creative team behind DruidShakespeare.

Derbhle Crotty, who was central to that epic production, will star and the large cast will include other members of the Druid Ensemble; Aaron Monaghan, Garrett Lombard, Rory Nolan and Marty Rea. Cork actress and RADA graduate Rachel Feeney will make her Druid debut, as will several Galway-based actors, yet to be named.  Performers from local drama groups in communities around County Galway, will also be in the cast.

“It feels right for Druid to revisit Tom Murphy’s work during Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture”, says Artistic Director, Garry Hynes about the late writer.

Tom Murphy’s relationship with Druid began in the early 1980s and he became the company’s writer-in-association in 1983.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.