It wasn’t the easiest of starts to 2019 for the Abbey crew. To have been unable to address, defuse
or prevent the growing unease of 300 leading practitioners over employment opportunities, or lack
thereof, was a tad embarrassing. There will be an air of relief then that at least the adaptation of
Edna O’Brien’s seminal debut novel first published in 1960 is stacked with Irish talent such as
Grace Collender, Muiris Crowley and Lola Pettigrew. Co-director of the Abbey Graham McLaren
assumes the mantle of director for this one. If you listen closely you might hear a naysayer mutter
the words ‘double-jobbing’ under their breath at the interval.
The Abbey Theatre, Saturday February 23 to Saturday April 6, €17-€40
