Written by Conal Creedon
Directed by Tim Ruddy
Synopsis: Two potent plays exploring the fragile world of father/son relationships in contemporary Ireland. The first, the American premiere of After Luke is set in the heyday of Ireland's recent boom, explores the greed-driven frenzy of the property market when one son returns from abroad and manipulates the sale of the home place. The second play, When I Was God, is a searing drama of a father's heartbreaking expectations for his son in sports. We witness through the eyes of a ten year old the longings of a fanatical dad. On the field of dreams, the referee is God--but what happens when God is made man?
NEW YORK TIMES:
"The director, Tim Ruddy, keeps things simple, aided by Brian Nason’s evocative lighting. The set is minimal: the excellent actors and Mr. Creedon’s words are enough to create a world that is at once comic and dramatic, poetic and brutal."
Read the whole review HERE.
NEW YORK POST:
"That passivity is typical of the production as a whole: It just stands there, seemingly unsure of where to go, what to do."
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THEATERMANIA:
"In both plays, Creedon utilizes select repetition of key phrases, lending a lyrical quality to the writing. But despite an engaging story and a few amusing lines, Creedon's observations on father/son dynamics rarely surprise. "
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NYTHEATRE.COM:
"On the whole Creedon's show holds up very well against the pantheon of Irish theatre, taking chances with some very risky devices. It's a fun night out, and I'd be interested to see the trilogy in its entirety; if the first act is as entertaining as the last two, it would be well worth it."
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BACKSTAGE:
"Though the premises for both plays are basically the same as dozens of other works, from "Death of a Salesman" to "Fences," director Tim Ruddy's production is full of fresh humor and intense conflict. Played on Lex Liang's nearly bare set, actors Michael Mellamphy, Gary Gregg, and Colin Lane colorfully enact a variety of roles in this pair of earthy, rough-hewn, poetic scripts. Brian Nason's imaginative lighting design provides the necessary changes of scenery."
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TIME OUT NY:
" Still, in Creedon’s seriocomic yarn-spinning, there’s robust humor and plenty of rough poetic flourish. Father might know worst, but he can turn a juicy phrase."
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