Menu

Press

Following acclaimed tour of pubs across Ireland 
Chicago Shakespeare welcomes

Abbey Theatre’s

Two Pints

by Booker-Prize-winning novelist Roddy Doyle
in The Pub at Chicago Shakespeare, March 6–31, 2019

 

Chicago—February 11, 2019—On the heels of an acclaimed tour to dozens of local pubs dotting the Irish countryside, Chicago Shakespeare Theater welcomes Abbey Theatre’s Two Pints to The Pub at Chicago Shakespeare for a limited Chicago engagement, March 6–31, 2019. Written by Booker-Prize-winning novelist Roddy Doyle and directed by Caitríona McLaughlin, the production invites audiences to pull up a stool in the Theater’s intimate lobby gathering space for an immersive, site-specific theatrical experience, starring Liam Carney and Philip Judge. Over the course of a few rounds, their characters’ banter evolves into a wide-reaching and deeply revealing dialogue on life, loss, and vegetarianism—hailed "achingly, breathtakingly funny" by The Sunday Independent.

Based in the heart of Dublin, the Abbey Theatre is the National Theatre of Ireland. Since its founding in 1904, the company has played a vital role in the artistic, social, and cultural life of Ireland, and serves as an ambassador through touring its work internationally. With a commitment to telling uniquely Irish stories, the company is known for cultivating some of the leading Irish playwrights and actors of the twentieth century, including William Butler Yeats, John Millington Synge, and Sean O'Casey. The Abbey Theatre returns to Chicago Shakespeare after its 2004 presentation of The Playboy of the Western World—which famously ignited riots when the play first premiered at the Abbey in 1907.

Irish novelist, dramatist, and screenwriter Roddy Doyle was honored with the 1993 Man Booker Prize for his novel Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, and with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Film Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Commitments. His work includes novels including The Snapper, The Van, The Guts, and most recently, Smile. Employing a distinctly Irish vernacular and settings, Doyle’s work explores the experiences of the working class through intelligent comedy and honest conversations. The Arts Review noted that Two Pints epitomizes, "Doyle’s wit, warmth and wisdom in what is a seriously enjoyable, laugh out loud production."

The play stars Liam Carney and Philip Judge. Carney has an extensive film career, including roles in Braveheart, Gangs of New York, and Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments. In the past decade, Carney has had appearances in popular television and mini-series, including Pure Mule, Single-Handed, Titanic: Blood and Steel, Outlander, and Red Rock. Judge recently had a critically acclaimed run in the title role of King Lear at the Mill Theatre. He has numerous TV credits, including Ripper Street, Damo and Ivor, Foyle’s War, and Rock Rivals.

Joining Caitríona McLaughlin on the artistic team is award-winning production and costume designer Kate Moylan.

Two Pints exemplifies Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s commitment to importing the world's most exciting theatrical events to Chicago and exporting the Theater’s productions to global destinations through the WorldStage series. To date, the program has featured over 1,000 artists from 22 countries spanning five continents—including artists from South Africa, China, India, Belarus, France, Russia, and the UK. This season, the Theater hosted productions from Belgium to Bogotá, beginning with three boundary-pushing pieces as part of Big in Belgium—Chicago: BigMouth, Fight Night, and Us/Them. Straight from Colombia, Circolombia amazed audiences with jaw-dropping acrobatics in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare as part of Destinos – Chicago International Latino Theater Festival. Then, in partnership with the Chicago International Puppet Theatre Festival, Chicago Shakespeare presented the whimsical L'après midi d'un foehn version 1 from France. This season’s WorldStage programming culminates with The National Theatre of Great Britain’s landmark production of An Inspector Calls, directed by The Crown’s Stephen Daldry, in The Yard February 19–March 10, 2019, and Two Pints in The Pub, March 6–31, 2019.

For more information, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/twopints.

Two Pints is presented in The Pub at Chicago Shakespeare, March 6–31, 2019. Single tickets ($45-$52) are on sale now. Special discounts are available for groups of 10 or more For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater’s website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

ABOUT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, Chicago Shakespeare has redefined what a great American Shakespeare theater can be—a company that defies theatrical category. This Regional Tony Award-winning theater’s year-round season features as many as twenty productions and 650 performances—including plays, musicals, world premieres, family programming, and presentations from around the globe. Chicago Shakespeare is the city’s leading producer of international work, and has toured its own productions across five continents. The Theater’s nationally acclaimed arts in literacy programs support the work of teachers, and bring Shakespeare to life on stage for tens of thousands of students annually. Each summer, the company tours a free professional production to neighborhood parks across Chicago. In 2017 the Theater unveiled The Yard, which, together with the Jentes Family Courtyard Theater and the Thoma Theater Upstairs, positions Chicago Shakespeare as Chicago’s most versatile performing arts center.

Abbey TheatreABOUT ABBEY THEATRE
Amharclann na Mainistreach
The Abbey Theatre is Ireland’s national theatre. It was founded by W.B. Yeats and Lady Augusta Gregory. Since it first opened its doors in 1904, the theatre has played a vital role in the artistic, social and cultural life of Ireland.

It is our mission to effectively and imaginatively engage with all of Irish society through the production of ambitious and courageous theatre in all its forms. The Abbey Theatre is artist-led and audience-focused: we aim to ensure our programmes are driven by ambitious, big ideas by theatre-makers of all disciplines, relevant to our times and reflective of our role as a national theatre.

In 1905, the Abbey Theatre first toured internationally and continues to be an ambassador for Irish arts and culture worldwide. Our recent tours to the US include Cyprus Avenue (Public Theater, New York), Quietly (Irish Repertory Theatre, New York), The Plough and the Stars (US and Canadian Tour), Maeve’s House (Irish Arts Centre, New York) and John Gabriel Borkman (Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York).

The Abbey Theatre is Ireland’s National Theatre and is the supported by the Arts Council.

Two Pints US Tour is sponsored by Culture Ireland.

 

# # #

   

 

Contact Us
 

Hannah Kennedy
Director of Communications
hkennedy@chicagoshakes.com

Emma Perrin
Public Relations & Digital Media Manager
eperrin@chicagoshakes.com
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Media Office
312.667.4957

Cathy Taylor
cathy@cathytaylorpr.com
Cathy Taylor Public Relations
773.564.9564

Chicago Shakespeare Theater
on Navy Pier
800 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

Additional Pages