The Beauty Queen of Leenane
The Beauty Queen of Leenane (1996) is a black comedy by London-born Irish playwright, screenwriter and film director Martin McDonagh [1] (1970-).
Contents
Original text
The play centres around the life of Maureen, an unmarried middle-aged woman, as she cares for her ailing mother Mag, and tries to find love. When the two brothers enter, we are set on a path to the play’s thrilling conclusion. Interspersed with romance and humour, this psychological thriller has audiences on the edge of their seats.
The Beauty Queen of Leenane was produced by Druid Theatre Company/Royal Court Theatre at the Town Hall Theatre, Galway, Ireland on 1 February 1996. The production subsequently opened at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in London on 5 March 1996. The production was subsequently produced by Atlantic Theater Company, New York on February 11, 1998. It then opened on Broadway produced by Atlantic Theater Company, Randall L. Wreghitt, Chase Mishkin, Steven M. Levy and Leonard Soloway in association with Julian Schlossberg and Norma Langworthy on April 14, 1998.
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
2001: First produced in South Africa at the Baxter Theatre in 2001, with Claire Berlein (Fleur du Cap Best Actress), and Paddy Canavan (who won a Fleur du Cap Theatre Award as best supporting actress), directed by Janice Honeyman. Set designed by Brian Collins.
2008: Flare Festival, Market Theatre Laboratory and Actor’s Centre, May 2008, directed by Benita Doria starring Vanessa Cooke, Mary Ann Barlow, Anthony Bishop and James MacEwan.
2022: Presented by How Now Brown Cow Productions at Theatre on the Square, Johannesburg (4 October 2022 - 29 October 2022). Director - Charmaine Weir-Smith, Set Design - Greg King, Lighting Design - Denis Hutchinson, Stage Manager - Loren Nel. The cast was Mag - Jennifer Steyn, Maureen - Julie-Anne McDowell, Pato - Bryan Hiles, Ray - Sven Ruygrok. The production won 5 Naledi Awards: Best Production - How Now Brown Cow Productions; Best Director - Charmaine Weir-Smith; Best Set Design - Greg King; Best Supporting Actress - Jennifer Steyn; Best Supporting Actor - Sven Ruygrok.
2023: The 2022 production was presented by the same team at Pam Golding Baxter Theatre, Cape Town (2 August 2023 - 19 August 2023).
Sources
Wikipedia [2].
Die Burger, 29 December 2001.
The Star, 20 May 2008.
https://www.hownowbrowncow.co.za/productions/thebeautyqueenofleenane
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