Prime Cut Productions are presenting the Irish premiere of a new version of Patrick Marbers’s After Miss Julie; placing the setting within an Irish context for Irish audiences
Playing at The MAC in Belfast from 31st March to the 9th April, After Miss Julie is Patrick Marber’s re-working of Strindberg’s 1888 iconic play Miss Julie. Originally Marber’s version was set within an English Manor during celebrations for the Labour Party victory in 1945. However Marber has worked closely with Prime Cut’s Artistic Director Emma Jordan and moved the action to Co, Fermanagh during the World War II VE-Day celebrations, placing the play within an Irish context.
Patrick Marber is an award winning playwright and screenwriter. He has won three awards for his stage play Closer including the Laurence Oliver Award for Best New Play and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Foreign Play. His screenplay Notes of a Scandal won best screenplay at the British Independent Film Awards and was also nominated for a BAFTA and an Academy Award.
After Miss Julie portrays the complex relationship between chauffeur John [Ciaran McMenamin] and the lady of the house Julie (played by Lisa Dwyer Hogg). The ill-fated pair are caught up in a lustful tryst one evening ultimately sealing their fate. The play focuses on the struggle of power between Julie and John displayed through their dominating characters and physical relationship with one another. Central themes of the play revolve around gender politics and the complexities surrounding gender roles between men and women. Class is also a central theme, which plays an important part in shaping the characters irrational decisions, ultimately determining a tragic end. Both character’s moral foundations are repeatedly disrupted once John’s fiancée Christine, played by Pauline Hutton, is introduced to the love affair. What seems like a simple one-night affair develops into a complex chain of events that will fascinate audiences.
Ciaran McMenamin, Lisa Dywer Hogg and Pauline Hutton are all experienced established actors on both stage and Film with exceptional stage performances seen from each throughout their careers. Emma Jordan is a critically acclaimed director with this production coming hot on the heels of her acclaimed production of Stacey Gregg’s Scorch.
Prime Cut’s Artistic Director Emma Jordan said:
“I am so excited to be directing After Miss Julie – I can honestly say that I think Marber’s rework of this classic play is genius. The placing of the action of the play at such a time of seismic change in Ireland and Britain is truly inspiring – the breaking down of the class relationships between the characters is directly mirrored in a world radically changed by World War II and the imminent rise of Labour government”
Tickets for After Miss Julie are available from The MAC’s website here.
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