Actress Jolly Abraham had a triumphant 2022, winning rave revues in a trio of theatrical winners at the Abbey Theatre - Absent The Wrong, The Octaroon and a lauded revival of Conor McPherson's The Weir.
Now she's starring in Verdant Productions' re-imagining of David Mamet's classic comedy Speed The Plow, set in a Hollywood where power is everything and morals are a commodity to be bought and sold.
Directed by Janet Moran and also starring Tara Egan Langley and Macleod Stephen, this new production turns the dynamic on its head, with the genders of the protagonists reversed from Mamet's original, examining the showbiz hierarchy from an alternative perspective.
We asked Jolly for her choice cultural picks...
FILM
The Korean film Parasite. The director takes you on quite a journey not only emotionally and visually but you never know what you are watching, it defies genre in that it constantly morphs into a new style but never to the detriment of the movie. The acting is superb.
MUSIC
I recently rediscovered Voodoo by D'Angelo. Beautiful sexy pumping R&B.
BOOK
I came across a used copy of Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver in Chapters Books. Haven't read it but I've read a couple of her other novels and she's a page turner for those who like substance but don't have the mental space for Crime and Punishment.
THEATRE
Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen - one of my favorite plays, getting a new adaptation and staging by Mark O'Rowe in The Abbey in April.
First up we have our @LandmarkIreland co-production #Ghosts2023. Written and directed by Mark O'Rowe, the moral thriller explores the ideas of love, duty and family in this new version of Ibsen’s classic. pic.twitter.com/raPpkdETJv
— Abbey Theatre (@AbbeyTheatre) March 13, 2023
TV
Atlanta by Donald Glover. Truly one of my favorite series, now on its 4th season. You can watch on Disney+ in Ireland. Musings and experiences living in America with Black identity. But don't even try to guess where an episode is going. Just take the ride.
ART
Irish artist Hazel Coonagh. I worked with her recently - not only is she generous of spirit but her work and creativity is fluid, elegant and surprises the eye. I follow her on Instagram
PODCAST
Maintenance Phase. This podcast takes the wellness industry to task in hilarious ways. The hosts are incredibly smart and do their research and their fabulous repartee and humor make me binge episodes when I have the time.
New episode! How public health institutions are using new rhetoric to justify the same old approach. https://t.co/o1MpbFMrvS
— Maintenance Phase (@MaintenancePod) February 28, 2023
TECH
I'm a bit of a luddite.
THE NEXT BIG THING...
Speed The Plow by David Mamet, directed by Janet Moran. Coming soon to a theatre near you.
Speed The Plow is at Civic Theatre, Tallaght, from 5th – 8th April, Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire from 13th – 15th April, Ramor Theatre, Cavan on 26th April and Droichead Arts Centre on 27th April 2023.
