Encore: 1. Sinead Cusack & Jeremy Irons; 2. Anna Rice; 3. Ronan Raftery & Sophie Robinson. (Kieran Harnett)
The greatly anticipated opening night of Sean O ‘Casey’s Juno and the Paycock at the Abbey Theatre kick started this year’s Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival.
Appearing on the Abbey stage in the role of Juno Boyle was Sinéad Cusack, only the seventh actress in the history of the Abbey Theatre to play the iconic part. Joining Sinéad was Ciarán Hinds in the role of Captain Jack Boyle and Risteárd Cooper playing Joxer Daly, in what was the 45th production of the revered play.
One of the hottest tickets in town, those in attendance on the night included President Mary McAleese and Senator Martin McAleese, the British Ambassador to Ireland H.E. Julian King, Shivaun O’ Casey, Jeremy Irons, Stephen Rea, Pat and Cathy Kenny, John Mc Colgan and many more well known faces.
Set in a tenement house in Dublin during the Irish Civil War of 1922, Juno and the Paycock is an epic tale of survival and vengeance punctuated by dreadful poverty. It runs at the Abbey Theatre until November 5th 2011. For booking and info call 01 8787222 or see http://www.abbeytheatre.ie/.
