By Martin McDonagh

Jeff Graves – Director

Jemima Bowler – Assistant Director

A modern classic by the now world-famous writer of many popular plays and films, including The Pillowman, In Bruges,  Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri and The Banshees of Inisherin.

Audition Dates  

Sunday 24^th May – 10.30

Monday 25^th May 19.00

(Performance Dates 15^th – 19^th September 2026 Stables Theatre Hastings)

“Sometimes I dream… of anything! Of anything. Other than this.”

This dark comic drama is centred on the fraught relationship between an elderly mother and her middle-aged daughter in rural Ireland.

In the mountains of Connemara, County Galway, Maureen Folan – a plain, lonely woman, tied to her manipulative and ageing mother, Mag – comes alive at her first and possibly last prospect of a new life. But Mag has other ideas; and her interference sets in motion a train of events that leads inexorably towards the play’s breathtaking conclusion.

The original London production was nominated for Best New Play at the 1997 Laurence Olivier Awards, and the 1998 Broadway production was nominated for six Tony Awards, winning four, for Best Leading Actress in a Play  Best Featured Actor in a Play  Best Featured Actress in a Play and Best Direction of a Play

Characters

MAUREEN FOLAN, An unmarried woman living in Leenane, Ireland. Maureen is in her 40s and takes care of Mag, her mother. Feels trapped in her life and resentful of being her mother’s carer.

MAG FOLAN A difficult older woman of poor health who is cared for by Maureen, her daughter. Very Catholic and lives in old world Catholic beliefs. Aged seventy.

PATO DOOLEY, about 40, good looking man, from Leenan but works in London most of the time as a labourer. Smitten with Maureen at first sight.

RAY DOOLEY, about 20, Pato’s younger brother, from Leenan. Does not want to play errand boy for family but begrudgingly goes to the Folan household whenever it is needed.

Please note that an Irish dialect will be required and is important for these roles. Ages are approximate and flexible, the important thing about casting will be the ability for these characters to be in a relationship with each other. 

Also please be aware that this play does feature an intimate scene between Maureen & Pato which will be sensitively choreographed during the rehearsal process. 

For more information, and to register interest, please contact the directing team @  beautyqueenleenane@gmail.com