Abbey Theatre's TWO PINTS To Transform The Pub At Chicago Shakespeare

On the heels of an acclaimed tour to dozens of local pubs dotting the Irish countryside, Chicago Shakespeare Theater welcomes Abbey Theatre's Two Pints to The Pub at Chicago Shakespeare for a limited Chicago engagement, March 6-31, 2019. Written by Booker-Prize-winning novelist Roddy Doyle and directed by Caitríona McLaughlin, the production invites audiences to pull up a stool in the Theater's intimate lobby gathering space for an immersive, site-specific theatrical experience, starring Liam Carney and Philip Judge. Over the course of a few rounds, their characters' banter evolves into a wide-reaching and deeply revealing dialogue on life, loss, and vegetarianism-hailed "achingly, breathtakingly funny" by The Sunday Independent.

Based in the heart of Dublin, The Abbey Theatre is the National Theatre of Ireland. Since its founding in 1904, the company has played a vital role in the artistic, social, and cultural life of Ireland, and serves as an ambassador through touring its work internationally. With a commitment to telling uniquely Irish stories, the company is known for cultivating some of the leading Irish playwrights and actors of the twentieth century, including William Butler Yeats, John Millington Synge, and Sean O'Casey. The Abbey Theatre returns to Chicago Shakespeare after its 2004 presentation of The Playboy of the Western World-which famously ignited riots when the play first premiered at the Abbey in 1907.

Irish novelist, dramatist, and screenwriter Roddy Doyle was honored with the 1993 Man Booker Prize for his novel Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, and with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Film Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Commitments. His work includes novels including The Snapper, The Van, The Guts, and most recently, Smile. Employing a distinctly Irish vernacular and settings, Doyle's work explores the experiences of the working class through intelligent comedy and honest conversations. The Arts Review noted that Two Pints epitomizes, "Doyle's wit, warmth and wisdom in what is a seriously enjoyable, laugh out loud production."

The play stars Liam Carney and Philip Judge. Carney has an extensive film career, including roles in Braveheart, Gangs of New York, and Roddy Doyle's The Commitments. In the past decade, Carney has had appearances in popular television and mini-series, including Pure Mule, Single-Handed, Titanic: Blood and Steel, Outlander, and Red Rock. Judge recently had a critically acclaimed run in the title role of King Lear at the Mill Theatre. He has numerous TV credits, including Ripper Street, Damo and Ivor, Foyle's War, and Rock Rivals.

Joining Caitríona McLaughlin on the artistic team is award-winning production and costume designer Kate Moylan.

Two Pints exemplifies Chicago Shakespeare Theater's commitment to importing the world's most exciting theatrical events to Chicago and exporting the Theater's productions to global destinations through the WorldStage series. To date, the program has featured over 1,000 artists from 22 countries spanning five continents-including artists from South Africa, China, India, Belarus, France, Russia, and the UK. This season, the Theater hosted productions from Belgium to Bogotá, beginning with three boundary-pushing pieces as part of Big in Belgium-Chicago: BigMouth, Fight Night, and Us/Them. Straight from Colombia, Circolombia amazed audiences with jaw-dropping acrobatics in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare as part of Destinos - Chicago International Latino Theater Festival. Then, in partnership with the Chicago International Puppet Theatre Festival, Chicago Shakespeare presented the whimsical L'après midi d'un foehn version 1 from France. This season's WorldStage programming culminates with The National Theatre of Great Britain's landmark production of An Inspector Calls, directed by The Crown's Stephen Daldry, in The Yard February 19-March 10, 2019 and Two Pints in The Pub March 6-31, 2019.

For more information, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/twopints.

Two Pints is presented in The Pub at Chicago Shakespeare, March 6-31, 2019. Single tickets ($45-$52) are on sale now. Special discounts are available for groups of 10 or more For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

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