Staging over land and sea

Belfast playwright, Rosemary Jenkinson, is set to take her new play ‘Cuchullain’ to American audiences at the Keegan Theatre in Washington DC later this year.

The Keegan Theatre has previously staged two of Rosemary's other plays, ‘Stella Morgan’ and ‘Basra Boy’, which were very well received by audiences and critics alike. Following on from their success, the theatre has confirmed it will produce Rosemary's new play, ‘Cuchullain’, in December 2011.

Rosemary, who received a general arts award from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to help her write the play, is delighted at the news and looking forward to making a return to America. She said: "I am so thrilled the Keegan Theatre, which is a terrific company, has chosen to do another of my plays, ‘Cuchullain’, and I can't wait to get back over to Washington.

"I am really happy about this news and have to thank the Arts Council so much for the financial support as I would never have written ‘Cuchullain’ without it. The best thing about the arts awards are that I can write freely about what I love - with commissions you have to follow what the theatre company wants which isn't quite the same."

Her last stage play ‘Basra Boy’ premiered earlier this year at the Keegan Theatre, Washington and was also selected for '24 Degrees' - a BBC initiative to support talented writers from across the UK. Set in Belfast, ‘Basra Boy’ explored the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and their impact on the streets of Belfast.

Rosemary has been supported by the Northern Ireland Arts Council since 2006 and last year she received an individual artist award of £1,500 designed to give established artists, the space and time to develop new work. With the award, Rosemary was able to take time out to write her new full length play, ‘Cuchullain’.

Gilly Campbell, Drama Officer at the Northern Ireland Arts Council, said: "We are delighted to hear that another of Rosemary's plays is to be produced by the Keegan Theatre in Washington DC. To have one of our local artist's work showcased on an international stage is fantastic and it proves that we have a wealth of talent here in Northern Ireland which American audiences, in particular, really appreciate.”