Eclectic variety of drama as NUIG marks Theatre Week

NUI Galway’s Theatre Week returns to Galway City from Friday, February 20, to Wednesday, February 25, with a diverse programme that celebrates drama in many forms while showcasing the talents of NUIG students of theatre, literature and film.

Dramsoc’s flagship for the week is John Steinbeck’s classic Of Mice and Men, directed by Naoise O’Beirn. The play, based on John Steinbeck’s 1937 novel, is set during America’s great depression and follows casual workers George and Lenny as they try to fulfill their dream of owning a farm. This production will be staged on February 20, 21 and 22 at 8pm nightly in the Bank of Ireland Theatre on campus.

Theatre Week will also feature the Jerome Hynes One-Act Series, which will feature five original plays by Dramsoc writers. These plays will have varying themes from comedy to drama and will be staged from February 22-24.

The Jerome Hynes series was inaugurated in 2001 to honour the late UCG graduate, who played a key role in Druid Theatre before moving to Wexford Opera Festival. He died in 2005 at the age of 45. The series, which was set up in his memory, has helped further the career of many young writers. Some have gone on to win national and international awards and have had their work produced professionally. Several new theatre companies have also emerged from the process.

“The week is the perfect showcase for our students, many of whom are studying drama,” according to NUI Galway Societies Officer, Ríona Hughes. “We really hope the public will come onto campus and celebrate with us.”

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