DRUID THEATRE Company's epic DruidShakespeare production has won a record five awards, including the Best Production award, at the prestigious Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards, which took place in Dublin last night.
The production, which featured Shakespeare's Richard II, Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2, and Henry V, in new adaptations by Mark O’Rowe, was nominated in 10 categories, and in addition to winning Best Production, took Best Director for Garry Hynes, while Derbhle Crotty won Best Actress as Henry IV, Marty Rea took home Best Actor as Richard II, Druid’s creative team Doreen McKenna and Francis O’Connor won Best Costume Design.
The award for Best Production was accepted by the actor and Druid co-founder Marie Mullen, as Garry Hynes was unable to make the event. She said it was a "privilege to accept these awards for DruidShakespeare". She described the production as "a hugely challenging but richly rewarding experience". She also thanked co-producers, the Lincoln Center Festival; associate producers, the Kilkenny Arts Festival; funders the Arts Council and Culture Ireland; and the audiences who came to see the shows. David Bolger and Francis O' Connor accepted on behalf of Garry for Best Director.
Druid has already announced a programme of events for the rest of this year, including productions of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh, and the world premiere of Helen and I by talented young Tuam playwright Meadhbh McHugh. Full details of all Druid 2016 productions will be announced in the coming months.
