Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
What happens when an Oscar-winning American actor, an English director and a Northern Irish playwright team up to rehearse a play about the Troubles? The answer is Ulster American, a new black comedy by David Ireland that exposes the hypocrisy, bigotry and violence that lurk behind the glamorous facade of the entertainment industry.
Ulster American, which opens on December 4 at Riverside Studios in London, stars Woody Harrelson, Andy Serkis and Louise Harland in a trio of roles that challenge their talents and test their limits. Harrelson, who returns to the London stage after almost two decades, plays Jay Conway, a Hollywood star who is cast as a Belfast loyalist in a play written by Ruth Davenport, a young and ambitious playwright played by Harland. Serkis, best known for his motion-capture performance as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings, plays Lee Carver, a British director who is hired to helm the production.
The play, which is set in a London apartment on the eve of the first rehearsal, begins as a witty and witty dialogue between Jay and Lee, who bond over their mutual admiration for Ruth’s work and their self-proclaimed progressive views. However, when Ruth arrives, the situation quickly spirals out of control, as it turns out that Jay and Lee have completely misunderstood her intentions and her politics. As the three characters clash over the meaning and the message of the play, their egos, prejudices and agendas are exposed, leading to a series of shocking and hilarious twists and turns.
Ulster American is a razor-sharp satire that skewers the pretensions and the perils of the entertainment industry, especially in the era of #MeToo and cancel culture. The play explores the themes of power, identity, culture and gender, and how they are manipulated and exploited by those who seek fame, fortune and influence. The play also raises questions about the role and the responsibility of art, and who has the right to tell whose story.
The play is written by David Ireland, a critically acclaimed playwright who has won several awards for his previous works, such as Cyprus Avenue and The Lovers. Ireland is known for his dark and daring humor, his provocative and controversial topics, and his fearless and fearless characters. Ulster American is no exception, as it contains very strong language, graphic violence and references to sexual assault. The play is not for the faint of heart, but for those who enjoy a thrilling and thrilling theatrical experience.
The play is directed by Jeremy Herrin, a renowned theater and film director who has worked with some of the most prestigious companies and venues in the UK, such as the National Theatre, the Royal Court and the West End. Herrin has also collaborated with TheatreHD, a project that broadcasts live and recorded performances from the best theaters in the world on cinema screens, making theater accessible to everyone.
Ulster American is a co-production of Second Half Productions and Riverside Studios, and is part of the December program of TheatreHD, which also includes other theatrical gems such as The Nutcracker by Rudolf Nureyev from the Vienna Opera, The Magic Flute by Mozart from the Royal Opera House, and Twelfth Night by Shakespeare from the Globe Theatre.
Ulster American will run for a strictly limited eight-week season from December 4 to January 27 at Riverside Studios in London. You can find the schedule and buy tickets on the Riverside Studios website. Don’t miss this chance to see one of the most hilarious and horrifying comedies of the year, starring three of the most brilliant and versatile actors of our time.
