| Theatre Reviews By
Grainne McLoughlin
The Factory Girls
 The
Factory Girls marked the very first offering from the man who’s
become one of Ireland’s most celebrated playwrights — Frank
McGuinness.
And the play will this month be presented in London’s Arcola Theatre
to mark the theatre’s five-year anniversary.
The funny and moving play is set in a Donegal shirt factory where five
women face the threat of redundancy. They decide to confront both management
and union and fight to determine their own future — a fight that
will change their lives and their friendship forever.
The Factory Girls bears testimony to the strengths and skills of working
women, the culture of work they represent, and the threat to destroy that
culture. It shows the strength of Irish women in the face of adversity.
Directed by Raz Shaw and starring Maggie McCarthy, Jane Murphy, Catherine
Cusack and Kate Binchy, The Factory Girls is a fitting production for
the Arcola to celebrate its fifth anniversary with as the venue used to
be a clothing factory.
Since his debut on the Irish theatre scene with The Factory Girls Frank
McGuinness has been his generation’s most prolific and significant
playwright, earning applause and awards throughout the world for such
plays as Observe The Sons Of Ulster Marching Towards The Somme and Someone
Who’ll Watch Over Me. His most recent play — Speaking Like
Magpies — has just opened to great acclaim at the Royal Shakespeare
Company.
McGuinness has another production — Phaedra — set to play
at the Donmar in March.
Starring Maggie McCarthy, Jane Murphy, Catherine Cusack and Kate Binchy.
Directed by Raz Shaw.
The Factory Girls will play at the Arcola Theatre until February 18. For
further information contact the box office on, 020 7503 1646 or www.arcolatheatre.com
I, Keano
 Manchester’s Lowry
Theatre is set to play host to the hit comedy musical I Keano which has
proved to be the most popular show to come out of Ireland since Riverdance.
The hilarious play, which has enjoyed a critically-acclaimed sell-out
tour in Ireland, receives it’s British premiere in Manchester —
home to the former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, on which the play
is based.
The plays surrounds Keane’s famous and controversial departure from
the 2002 World Cup under Mick McCarthy’s management. The decision
to send Keane home divided the nation but I Keano is here to give its
own take on events. It shifts the most talked about fall-out in Irish
sport to Greek ancient Roman times.
Basically an ancient federation sends a legion, led by the stubborn General
Macartacus, to an island to prepare for a momentous war. Their greatest
warrior, Keano, has a passion for perfection exceeded only by his fierce
and unpredictable temper (sound familiar yet?) The problems start when
Keano arrives to prepare for battle... the ground is too hard, the troops
are partying and the Federation has forgotten to bring any daggers and
tunics.
What should Keano do? He is torn between the conflicting advice of the
Scottish dolphin god Fergie and the tap-dancing wood nymph Dunphia.
Described as a “stroke of genius” by The Guardian, I Keano
is sure to have the audience falling off their seats — those lucky
enough to get a ticket.
It stars Gary Cooke, Risterd Cooper, Tara Flynn, Dessie Gallagher and
Paul McGlinchey.
Robert Robson, The Lowry’s Artistic Director said: “I, Keano
is not just for football fans, but for everyone who enjoys comedy and
a good night out at the theatre.
“The show is huge in Ireland with extra dates selling out in hours.
We’re looking forward to the show arriving at The Lowry in February.”
I Keano will play at Manchester’s Lowry Theatre from February 28
to March 11. For further information contact the box office on 0870 7875793
or www.thelowry.com
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