Kinahan work to premiere at Dublin Theatre festival

Wilkinstown playwright Deirdre Kinahan’s ‘The Visit’ will premiere at Draíocht Blanchardstown as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival this autumn, directed by Veronica Coburn.

‘The Visit’ is based on Kinahan’s play ‘Yes’, written as part of Draíocht’s ground-breaking Home Theatre (Ireland) Project in 2018.

‘Yes’ was inspired by the time Deirdre spent with Maureen Penrose, her Home Theatre host in 2018 and whose character Rose in that play tells a very personal story about her life.

‘The Visit’ however delves deeper into Rose's story - a woman who opens up her front door to find a world of new possibilities, after the death of her dominating and deeply controlling husband. This funny, heart-warming, touching new play explores a hidden social reality we are only beginning to understand.

Centered around Rose who is played by actress Mary O’Driscoll, this masterpiece of new theatre writing is brought vividly to dramatic life by Kinahan. It’s adventurous and brave and takes us into Rose’s journey getting back into her community and meeting new people.

We meet Rose as she stands on the empty stage, looking out into the auditorium. Imagining what it will be like when it is full. Which it will be. Tonight. When the choir performs. She has washed and ironed her cowgirl shirt and skirt. She carries it on a hanger. She likes the way the fringe swings when she wears it. It makes her feel glamorous. In the quiet of the theatre, she finds herself thinking back on the events of that morning, the events of last year, even the last twenty years. When did she stop being herself? Rose thinks about her dead husband Stephen, and her sons, and the man who knocked on her door.

Deirdre Kinahan is an award winning playwright and a member of Aosdána, Ireland’s elected body of outstanding artists. Deirdre is an Associate Artist with Meath County Council Arts Office, her plays are translated into many languages, published by Nick Hern Books and produced regularly in Ireland and on the International stage.

Directed by Veronica Coburn, starring Mary O’Driscoll, with set and costume design by Deirdre Dwyer, sound design by Sinead Diskin and lighting design by Eamon Fox.

Mary O’Driscoll most recently filmed the role of Mrs Kennedy in ‘Smother Season 2’ for RTÉ and BBC Studios, directed by Dathaí Keane.

‘The Visit’ receives its world premiere, as part of Dublin Theatre Festival 2021 at Draíocht, Blanchardstown from 13th to 16th October. The Visit will also tour offsite in Dublin 15 to two community locations, funded by the Arts Council of Ireland.