Ulster American

Edinburgh Festival's favourite dark comedy on abuse of power, the silencing of the female voice and the current confused political climate.
Laetitia Laubscher
Published on March 04, 2019
Updated on March 04, 2019

Overview

Winner of the coveted Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award in 2018, David Ireland's Ulster American takes place in the exact political flashpoint that is today's current #MeToo/post-Weinstein and Brexit mess.

Jay is the American Oscar-winning actor who is leading a new play that connects with his Irish roots. Leigh is the English director desperate to get noticed. Ruth is the Northern Irish playwright fighting to get her voice heard amongst all the mansplaining and grandstanding from two avowed feminist men.

The dark comedy play perfectly encapsulates the current 2019 zeitgeist. As The Guardian puts it: "In these characters' assumptions, confusion and rage, Ireland brilliantly captures the bewilderment of a generation that knows the rules of social engagement have changed — whether on gender relations, national identity or global politics — but is hopelessly and hilariously inadequate when it comes to putting the new-found knowledge into practice."

Image: Sid Scott.

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