Connaughton’s new play in Cavan town

The County Cavan writer and actor best known as co-writer of the screenplay for My Left Foot and 1992 film, The Playboys, is set to tread the boards in Cavan in February. Shane Connaughton will take the lead part in three-hander, The Pitch, a Moth Production to run in The Gonzo Theatre from 24 February before doing a national tour. Featuring locals Niall Lynch and Yvonne Hyneman alongside Connaughton, The Pitch will be directed by Kerry Crabbe, who has worked with screen legends including Lawrence Olivier. Connaughton says he is “very much†looking forward to being on stage in his native county. He told The Anglo-Celt how the upcoming work is based on the Sophocles play, Philoctetes, but is set in Cavan and has a GAA theme, with references to Breffni Park. “It's about an old man left living on his own and how he feels betrayed by the past and by what happened when he was playing football and what happened him in life. It's a family drama as well as being about football and, I think, is quite funny.†The acclaimed actor is high in praise for the local arts professionals involved in the project. “Philip is a terrific energetic fellow. He's a real breath of fresh air,†says Connaughton of Gonzo Theatre director, Philip Doherty. “So are Will Govan and Rebecca O'Connor, the publishers of The Moth... and it's terrific that Donal Keogan has given that room to theatre in Cavan.†More coverage and details of performances will follow in the coming weeks. For tour dates see www.themothmagazine.com.