The Steward of Christendom makes a return to the Gate Theatre, Dublin this month, more than 25 years after Donal McCann gave a career-defining performance in Sebastian Barry's play as its central character, Thomas Dunne.
This new production sees another much-loved Irish actor, Owen Roe, tackling the role of Dunne - he talks to RTÉ Arena above.
Set in a county home in Baltinglass in 1932, the play centres on Thomas Dunne, reliving moments of his career as a senior officer in the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP), including the handover of Dublin Castle to Michael Collins in 1922 following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. This revival coincides with the 100th anniversary of the handover of Dublin Castle to the Provisional Government of Ireland.
The play also features reimagined memories of Dunne's family: his daughters, Annie, Maud, and Dolly, and his son, Willie, killed in World War I. These reveries are interspersed by interactions between Dunne and Mrs. O'Dea and Smith, two attendants from the home.
The Steward Of Christendom runs from July 26th - September 3rd, 2022, with previews from Thursday, July 21st - find out more here. In September, the Gate will tour its production to the Everyman, Cork and the Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick.
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