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The Hamster Wheel
Directed by: Andrew McIlroy & Noreen Doyle Performed: 11-15 June 2002 in the Studio Theatre in Schaerbeek (Check out the review in the Bulletin) Information on the play: The Hamster Wheel by Marie Jones, a contemporary Northern Irish playwright, tells the tragic-comic story of a woman coming to terms with her husband’s stroke, and the knock-on effects that it has on her family. The play charts Jeanette's belated growing up process as she asserts her independence partly through caring for Kenny, and partly in spite of having to care for him. The play is sharp, funny and bitter, and is written with an attentive ear for dialogue and the absurdities of ordinary life. It dates from the early 90’s, when Marie was still a relatively unknown playwright working in Belfast community theatre. Since then she has become one of the most fêted names on the West End theatre circuit with her smash hit “Stones in his Pockets” which is still playing to sell-out houses and rave reviews at the Drury lane Theatre, is in 17 translations, has a Broadway opening and just won the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. None of this has changed Marie or her down to earth commonsense.. “You’ll have to remind me, “ she said on the phone. “Which play is the Hamster Wheel? I’ve written so many!” The good news for Marie is that the play has more than stood the test of time. The only Northern playwright who gets an outing in Brussels is Brian Friel,other Belfast playwrights, like Stewart Parker or the Martin Lynch are perhaps too strong and localised a taste. Marie isn’t like that. She writes very accessible, human drama that speaks equally well to people who are new to theatre as the avid play-goer. The ITG are proud not only to be presenting a rare piece of Belfast’s theatre
tradition.,.
Production Team:
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© 2007 Irish Theatre Group A.S.B.L. |
Written
by: Marie Jones