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An Irish Night to Remember … Pub Theatre in Wellington! Irish Society Invites Wellingtonians to a Unique Way to Kick-off the Festive Season 12 November 2014 - The Wellington Irish Society invites everyone to kick-off the festive season with a pint and a play when they present one of Ireland’s best known plays, Playboy of the Western World, in pub theatre style. This style of theatre originated in England when groups of actors performed in empty dining rooms above pubs. The night's entertainment will go beyond theatre, including traditional Irish dancing and Irish music. “Many New Zealanders have Irish heritage, or feel a strong connection to a country that, while far away, has similarities to here, especially in terms of a pastoral lifestyle. This play is a chance for Wellingtonians to enjoy a night at the pub in Ireland, connecting with and enjoying a familiar yet different culture. Playboy is set in a small, country pub in rural Ireland. Performing a play set in a pub in a pub setting brings the audience closer to the action and makes them part of the performance. The uniqueness of the Wellington Irish Society as a theatrical space allows us to present pub theatre, which is not often done here,” said Ania Upstill, Director. In pub theatre, seating is cabaret style, with guests seated around small tables. During the evening, guests will be treated to table service for purchasing beverages available from the Irish Society Bar. They are also welcome to bring their own food to enjoy during the performance. The play itself is very well known to anyone who is Irish. When it debuted in 1907 in Dublin, Ireland, riots followed because of how it depicted common Irish people. The dark comedy is the story of how one man, ‘playboy’ Christy Mahon, arrives in a remote village and gains immediate hero status by telling the story about how he killed his father. His increasingly grand tales bring him much admiration from the people of the village … until they realise that his father is still alive. Many of its themes are still relevant today. “It’s an unbelievable, yet completely convincing story of how people try to escape their ordinary lives”, says Irish Society member, Neil Connolly, who plays Christy Mahon. “I’ve always wanted to do this play, because I always wanted to play this guy. There’s a little trickster like Christy Mahon in all of us, especially me!"” says Connolly. Performances will be on the following dates at the Wellington Irish Society, 10 Fifeshire Ave: - Thurs, 27 November – 7.30pm - Fri, 28 November – 7.30pm - Sat, 29 November – 8.30pm - Sun, 30 November – 2pm Matinee - Tues, 2 December – 7.30pm - Wed, 3 December – 7.30pm - Thurs, 4 December – 7.30pm - Fri, 5 December – 7.30pm - Sat, 6 December – 7.30pm Tickets are available through Eventfinder - http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2014/playboy-of-the-western-world/wellingto... About Wellington Irish Society Wellington Irish Society exists to serve the Irish community in Wellington and to provide a meeting place for those Irish and their Friends and family visiting or living in Wellington. Website: http://www.wellingtonirishsociety.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WellingtonIrishClub ##