#Ireland Phillip McMahon (playwright)

• Author: Phillip McMahon (1979)
  
• Title: Come On Home
• Opening night: July 2018
• Location: The Peacock Theatre is situated under the Abbey foyer.
• It is affiliated with Ireland’s National Theatre and
• The Abbey Theatre.Abbey Theatre Dublin
• Director: Rachel O’Riordan (1974)
• Trivia: Nominated Best New Play Irish Times Theatre Awards
• Winner: Announcement 31 March 2019
• List of Challenges 2019
• Monthly plan
• #ReadingIrelandMonth19
• @746books.com

Quickscan:

1. The play is about a family forced
2. …into a reunion under difficult circumstances.
3. A family funeral is the best time to clear the air
4. …and at the same time muddy the waters!
5. The play deals with bigotry in a small town in Ireland.
6. Characters talk about love, loss, abuse and drink.
7. They must say difficult things.
8. History and blood binds them
9. …but they don’t know each other.
10. Michael hasn’t been home in almost twenty years.
11. He was kicked out of the seminary and
12. …exiled from his family home.
13. But now, the death of his mother sees him
14. ….reunited with his two brothers
15. …their partners and the local clergy.
16. Questions must be answered.
17. Scores met be settled.

Cast: 5 male actors – 2 female actors

1. Brothers: Ray – Michael – Brian
2. Clergy: Fr. Cleary – Fr. Seamus
3. Partners: Aoife (Ray’s partner) – Martina (Brian’s wife)
4. Setting: family living room, single setting = pressure-cooker play
5. Secrets surface only under pressure.
6. Strong emotions (despair, fear, anger) created by events
7. Why does the character have difficulty telling these secrets?
8. Is it fear? shame? pride?
9. …that makes the words stick in the character’s throat?
10. Theme: classic Irish drama –>  exile …then returning home

Conclusion:

1. Phillip McMahon has created  2 act play with 8 scenes
2. …that does NOT focus on a complex narrative plot line.
3. He is interested in showing only the moments of intense conflict
4. …that shape his characters.
5. Ireland is changing and
6. …themes as a gay priest…are now on stage.
7. This makes the play feel fresh, surprising, and compelling.
8. The real excitement is the pivotal moment
9. …the moment when all control is in the balance.
10. We hold our breath!
11. What is that moment in this play?
12. I’ll let you discover that
13. Will it win the Irish Times Theatre Award?
14. Award will be announced on 31st of March!
15. #PowerfulPlay