Guests Of The Nation

18th - 23rd June 2007

By Frank O'Connor
Directed by Patrick Talbot
Designed by Cliff Dolliver
Lighting Design by Paul Denby
Sound Design by Cormac O'Connor
Costume Design by Sinead Cuthbert

Cast
Denis Conway

 

The Everyman Palace Theatre held the first ever theatrical staging of Guests Of The Nation, the classic War Of Independence story as part of the 2007 Cork Midsummer Festival.

At a time when the gun seems to be finally removed from Irish politics, Frank O’ Connor’s iconic story recalls a period of violent self determination, on both personal and national levels. It is a compelling account of ordinary humanity under extraordinary stress.

Guests of The Nation was published in 1931 in Frank O’Connor’s first collection of short stories. Born in Cork in 1903, O’ Connor has produced a body of work which is in league with that of James Joyce, JM Synge and George Bernard Shaw in the canon of 20th century Irish literature.

'Much of the success of this production can be attributed to Conway's admirably restrained performance, but special mention should also go to Chris Dolliver's marvellous set'
Irish Examiner

' accomplished…… perfectly poised'
Irish Independent

'The cadences of O Connor’s speech role easily off the tongue of the excellent Denis Conway, who inhabits the author’s role on the stage... One could not wish for more delicate precision…'
Irish Independent

'Simplicity and sincerity are the touchstones of Denis Conway’s rendering of Guests of the Nation. The text is as austere as any of Frank O Connor’s stories, and Conway’s performance is equally spare and equally elegiac.'
The Irish Times

'This at once emotional and damning story is brought to dramatic life in a quietly commanding performance by Denis Conway'
Evening Echo
 

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