Six emerging artists chosen for the SEEDS II programme

Following on the success of the initial SEEDS new writing programme, SEEDS II is a new and expanded initiative, which will not only continue to foster new playwriting talent, but will also, for the first time, offer emerging directors the opportunity to participate in a parallel programme.

Improbable Frequency wins major awards

Rough Magic's production of Improbable Frequency by Arthur Riordan and Bell Helicopter won three major awards at last night's 2004 Irish Times/ESB Irish Theatre Awards.

Improbable Frequency - What the critics said:

Arthur Riordan and Bell Helicopter's musical fantasy receives unanimous praise:

“Immensely impressive and, more importantly, enormously entertaining” Irish Times

“Fun, funny, intelligent, sophisticated, mildly subversive and very, very accomplished” Sunday Independent

The Sugar Wife is London bound

Rough Magic's production of Elizabeth Kuti's new play, The Sugar Wife, will transfer to London's Soho theatre for four weeks in January 2006.

The Sugar Wife - What the critics said:

''Rough Magic shines with its production of Elizabeth Kuti’s marvellous new play, a richly woven piece of work that goes back to the historical past in order to make sense of the present… On a retelling of the outline tale it is almost impossible to do justice to the compelling nature of the piece, which sure-footedly negotiates the big questions… [an] intelligent and affecting piece, which stays with you long, long after it has come to an end.'' Sunday Tribune.

The Life of Galileo - What the critics said:

“As powerful a piece of theatre as one could hope for” - Sunday Independent

“An important play, here in a riveting interpretation… An achievement to savour” - Irish Times

Gerald Murphy Wins Major Award

At a reception at the Abbey theatre yesterday, the playwright Gerald Murphy was awarded the 2004 Stewart Parker Trust Playwriting Bursary for his play Take Me Away.

Take Me Away takes Edinburgh by storm

Rough Magic's production of Take Me Away by Gerald Murphy has received excellent notices at the Edinburgh Festival and picked up a prestigious Fringe First Award from The Scotsman newspaper.

Rough Magic invites submissions for SEEDS II

Following the success of the initial SEEDS new writing programme, Rough Magic is pleased to announce details of SEEDS II. Building on the strengths of the previous programme, SEEDS II is a new and expanded initiative which will not only continue to foster new playwriting talent, but will also, for the first time, offer emerging directors the opportunity to participate in a parallel programme.

Rough Magic Announces Ambitious Spring Programme

Rough Magic Theatre Company will stage an unprecedented four productions in Spring 2005. Signalling a dramatically increased level of activity, the company will re-stage two of its hit productions from 2004 and will present two new productions at Dublin’s Project Arts Centre.

Improbable Frequency to transfer to the Abbey's Main Stage

Rough Magic’s production of the musical comedy Improbable Frequency by Arthur Riordan and Bell Helicopter will transfer to the Abbey Theatre from early March for a six week run.

Introducing Rough Magic Studio

The Sugar Wife is Rough Magic’s fourth production of 2005 and is the first production of a new initiative by the company called Rough Magic Studio, dedicated to the ongoing development of new plays and new writers.

Rough Magic Announces Spring 2006 Programme

From Sugar in Soho to Shakespeare in the West, Rough Magic reveals its plans for Spring 2006. Building on its exceptional success in 2005, Rough Magic’s latest programme will include a bold new production of a world classic and the London transfer of its 2005 hit.

International nomination for the The Sugar Wife

The Sugar Wife has been nominated for the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, which is given annually to a woman who deserves recognition for having written a work of outstanding quality for the English-speaking theatre.

**CHRISTMAS GIFT VOUCHERS**

Give the gift of theatre this year with tickets to Rough Magic's production of The Taming of the Shrew

The Sugar Wife, Galileo and SEEDS II nominated for awards

Rough Magic's work in 2005 has received four nominations for the prestigious Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards which acknowledge excellence in all areas of Irish theatre including acting, writing, directing and design.

Rough Magic invites submissions for SEEDS3

SEEDS is a structured development initiative for emerging theatre practitioners. Now in its third phase, SEEDS 3 will continue to support new directing and playwriting talent, but will also, for the first time, offer emerging designers, composers and producers the opportunity to participate in the programme. Taking the notion of ‘the company as ensemble’ as its guiding principle, the SEEDS 3 artists will work together from the outset, participating in separate but integrated programmes, in the knowledge that they will showcase work as a company at the end of the process.

Rough Magic appoints its first Associate Director

Tom Creed is appointed as Rough Magic's first Associate Director with particular responsibility for the SEEDS3 programme.

The Sugar Wife wins major international prize.

Elizabeth Kuti is named co-winner of the prestigious Susan Smith Blackbourn Award.

The Taming of the Shrew - What the critics said

'You will not see a better production of the play than this' The View, RTÉ

Improbable Frequency tours to Poland and Edinburgh

Rough Magic's hugely successful production will tour to the KONTAKT International Theatre Festival in June and to the Edinburgh Festival in August.

Rough Magic announces the SEEDS 3 artists

Following a nationwide call for submissions eight young theatre practitioners have been chosen to participate in the SEEDS 3 training programme.

Rough Magic announces a new play as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival

Following the huge success of Improbable Frequency in 2004, Rough Magic returns to the Dublin Theatre Festival with a glittering comedy of violence that takes a darkly satirical look at what really lights our fire.

Improbable Frequency takes Edinburgh by storm

Read what the Edinburgh critics had to say about Arthur Riordan and Bell Helicopter's award winning musical comedy.

Tom Creed to direct first production for Rough Magic

Rough Magic's new Associate Director will direct the English language premiere of Jon Fosse's Dream of Autumn.

Rough Magic seeks a new Executive Producer

Following Loughlin Deegan's appointment as Artistic Director of the Dublin Theatre Festival, Rough Magic is seeking a new Executive Producer.

Rough Magic appoints new Executive Producer

Rough Magic is delighted to announce the appointment of Diego Fasciati as the company's new Executive Producer.

Next Production

Attempts to describe her? Attempts to destroy her? Or attempts to destroy herself? Is Anne the object of violence? Or its terrifying practiitioner? Through the course of seventeen distinct but interconnected scenarios, a group of unnamed characters try to piece together the identity of the mysterious Anne. Martin Crimp''s 1997 play brings us on a whistle-stop journey through the emotional and political landscapes of our time, taking in art, surveillance, pornography, terrorism, genocide and globalisation along the way. ''…a manifesto for the future of theatre as well as a chillingly well observed consideration of the soullessness of modern human existence in a consumerist culture'' The Guardian. Project Arts Centre, 18 April - 5 May. Tickets €12-€20 (01) 881-9613

Irish Times Theatre Awards

Rough Magic are delighted to announce that following nine nominations The Taming of the Shrew won four Irish Times Theatre Awards - Best Actor: Owen Roe, Best Designer Costume: Monica Frawley, Best Designer Lighting: Rupert Murray & Best Production.

Is this About Sex?

Following the popular & critical success of the hit musical Improbable Frequency in 2006 Rough Magic & Artistic Director Lynne Parker return to Edinburgh to present the world premiere of a comedy by Christian O'Reilly Is this About Sex?

AIB Seeds 3 Showcase

SEEDS3 will feature 8 young theatre practitioners showcasing 2 productions, 3 play readings and 1 exhibition. SEEDS3 Productions are Caligula by Albert Camus in a new translation by David Greig directed by Conor Hanratty and Pilgrims of the Night by Len Jenkin, directed by Sophie Mottley. SEEDS3 Readings include The Grand Tour by Stacey Gregg, Seven Years and Seven Hours by Lisa McGee and The Departure Lounge by Fintan O’Higgins. Sets and Costume will be designed by Deirdre Dwyer and Lighting will be designed by Sarah Jane Shields. Cian O Brien is the SEEDS3 producer.

Is this About Sex? at the Half Moon Cork

From the 10-22 September at the Half Moon Theatre. Tickets and Information 021-427-0022 www.corkoperahouse.ie

Is this About Sex?

This is an intelligenty comedy of sexual policy and emotional manners, debunks the definitions that bewitch, bother and bewilder us. Daniel, Angela, Cathy, Paul and Kay attempt to navigate the complexity of modern relationships in a sea riddled with icebegs, whirlpools and unseen currents. This is a dark and delightful exploration of gender, sexuality and identity. Presented in Association with Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire 1 – 13 October Tickets & Info: 01 231 2929 www.dublintheatrefestival.com

AIB Seeds4

AIB SEEDS4 is open to emerging writers, directors, designers (lighting, set & costume). composers/sound designers. production managers and producers whose work has already been stage on a semi-professional, professional (inculding staged or rehearsed readings, student or fringe basis or have completed accredited professional training in their specialism.

Rough Magic Announces new Associate Producer

Rough Magic have appointed Cian O'Brien as the companys first Associate Producer.

Improbable Frequency Returns

Written by Arthur Riordan & Bell Helicopter & winner of three Irish Theatre Awards (including Best Production & Best Director),Improbable Frequency is a joyous surreal satire that lifts the lid on Ireland’s beloved neutrality and cuts to the heart of the tempestuous affair with its nearest neighbour – England!

Irish Times Theatre Awards

Rough Magic recieved nominations for best production for Don Carlos and for the AIB Seeds3 production of Caligula.

The Taming of the Shrew ~ Irish Tour

Re-imagining this infamous tale in wheeler-dealer rural Ireland, Rough Magic’s Shrew is a contemporary take on a play that hinges on fraudulence, farce and bad behaviour. With an A-list ensemble including Pauline McLynn and Owen Roe as the sparring protagonists, The Taming of the Shrew features live tango, loose morals and gombeen chic.

Life is a Dream

Following the huge success of Schiller's Don Carlos Rough Magic presents the greatest of all Spanish 17th-century dramas.

Irish Times Theatre Awards 2007

Following seven nominations Rough Magic won three Irish Times Theatre Awards.

Life is a Dream

''A tragic-comic carnival of disguise, revenge and intrigue'' - Irish Examiner ''impeccable cast'' - Irish Times ''full of energy'' - Irish Independent