An Abbey Theatre & SoFFt Productions co-production

AN OLD SONG, HALF FORGOTTEN
by Deirdre Kinahan

Abbey Theatre, Peacock Stage, Dublin: April 14 - May 6, 2023
FURTHER INFO at: sofftproductions.com / abbeytheatre.ie

Deirdre Kinahan’s new play, An Old Song, Half Forgotten, opens a fantastical window into the life and soul of an older actor who is living in care with Alzheimer’s disease:

The Abbey Theatre and SoFFT Productions collaborate this Spring to stage Deirdre Kinahan’s unique and moving new play, An Old Song, Half Forgotten, which brings the celebrated Irish actor Bryan Murray, recently diagnosed with the same disease, back to his spiritual home, on the Peacock stage.

Louise Lowe leads a team of extraordinary creatives in building a style of production that will meet the challenge of Alzheimer’s head-on whilst also creating a magical theatrical experience. AN OLD SONG, HALF FORGOTTEN will make its world premiere on April 20 and runs until May 6.

Inspired by interviews with Byran, the play tells the story of James O’Brien, a Dubliner who enjoyed a great Theatre career but now lives in a nursing home in England, lost to the fog of Alzheimers. However, when a visiting string quartet play music in the day room they summon up a suite of glorious characters and moments from his life allowing James and the audience to revel once again in his great loves and losses whilst conjuring up a smashing vision of his younger self. This Younger Self is played by actor Matthew Malone who acts as both the character’s memory and guide, leading him through the play and production.

Original music inspired by the play is composed by one of Cork’s finest music makers Paul Frost, and with four of Ireland’s leading string musicians including, Mia Cooper and Brigid Leman, both on violin; Ed Creedon on viola; and finally Aoife Burke on cello, who beautifully bring this story together with Frost’s harmonies.

A must-see this April!

CAST: Bryan Murray and Matthew Malone

CREATIVE TEAM:
Written by Deirdre Kinahan
Directed by Louise Lowe
Set Design: Conor Jacob
Lighting Design: Ciaran Bagnall
Sound Design & Additional Composition: Philip Stewart
Costume Design: Maree Kearns
Composer: Paul Frost
Creative Producer: Natasha Duffy