The Gaiety School of Acting – The National Theatre School of Ireland has commissioned an original piece of theatre entitled ‘Dirty Laundry’ from internationally acclaimed Australian-based playwright, Chris Edmund, for the Class of 2014’s Graduation Play.
Edmund’s ‘Dirty Laundry’ is a theatre piece written for the school’s 19 graduating actors. It engages with the ideas of home in a very broad way, embracing the journey of characters from the ghost of the painter Francis Bacon to people on the very outer of society struggling to find a place for themselves in a fractured world. Written and directed by Edmund, the play will be performed in the Smock Alley Theatre with set and lighting design by Marcus Costello. Roger Gregg will create a live soundscape, and costumes are being designed by Helen Connolly.
Edmund is the former acting head of West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) where some of his students included Hugh Jackman (X-Men: Days of Future Past), Frances O’Connor (The Hunter)and Jai Courtney (A Good Day to Die Hard). Edmund’s previous plays include 'The Devil’s Tunic' and 'The Butcher’s Dance', which have received rave reviews across Australia. Jackman recently tweeted support saying: “My acting teacher and mate Chris Edmund has an exciting new play this month in Dublin. Get along if you can.”
Speaking about the upcoming performance, Edmund noted: “It is a great thrill to be working with such a dedicated and dynamic group of young actors as we engage in evolving a new work. The themes of the play are quite confronting and I’m delighted that the cast have committed with such enthusiasm and passion in bringing this work to the stage of Smock Alley.”
The Gaiety School of Acting is unique in that it is the only acting school in the country with a tradition of commissioning plays for Graduating Students. This will be the school’s 38th original piece of theatre for graduates since 1988. ‘Dirty Laundry’ will be performed by the graduating students at the Smock Alley Theatre from June 23 – 28, 2014 at 7.30pm. Tickets for this event can be purchased on smockalley.com.
Check out a snippet from Class of 2014’s Graduation Showcase below:
