It is 1999 and a hot summer in New York. Gene is an Irish American living in Spanish Harlem with a Dominican girlfriend Perdita. When his Irish cousin Eoin turns up on his doorstep, it is something of a surprise. They have only met once before, at the funeral of Gene’s father, some 6 years before.  Gene takes in his cousin and offers him work, but it is not as altruistic as it sounds. Gene is in debt to the wrong type of people, and needs to make money fast!

This is the story of three young people, living in a small apartment in New York. The play develops the characters well, through interaction with the other characters and frequent use of soliloquies. Perdita is trying to keep her boyfriend on the right side of the law, but Gene has a gambling problem, and keeps getting himself into trouble. The introduction of his doe eyed cousin breaks the status quo. Eoin seems quite innocent despite his bravado and drug use and is infatuated with his new surroundings and the freedom of living in New York. The set creates the living room of the New York apartment, with a sofa and kitchen table.

This is a new play by Gary Duggan, who is know for his previous work Shibari and Monged. This new work focuses on characters and is less plot driven than you would expect from something that delves into drug dealing and the violence that surrounds it. With strong language and scenes of a sexual nature, this is not safe or predictable theatre. The three actors are impressive, with Sean Doyle particularly catching the eye as the fresh faced boy straight out of Ballymun. This is an interesting and ambitious new work that has some great moments, and was quite captivating as it moved towards the explosive finale.

Writer: Gary Duggan
Director: Aoife Spillane-Hinks
Producer: Tom Dowling
Cast: Aonghus Óg McAnally, Sean Doyle, Leah Minto
Lighting: Sarah Jane Shiels
Composer: Denis Clohessy
Graphic Design and Photography: Ste Murray

Run/ Don’t Run

February – March tour dates

The Civic Tallaght
26th  – 28th of February
Bookings: The Civic

Hawk’s Well, Sligo
Wednesday 4th of March
Bookings: Hawk’s Well

Linenhall Arts Centre
Thursday 5th of March
Bookings: Linenhall

The Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny
Saturday 7th of March
Bookings: Riverbank Arts Centre

Project Arts Centre, Temple Bar
Monday 9th – 14th of March  (25% off all tickets if you book before Feb 27)
Bookings: Project Arts Centre