30 Sep 2024
The Company of Ten continues its 90th anniversary season with The Father by Florian Zeller.
The play, staged in the intimate setting of the Studio at the Abbey Theatre, is a moving observation of the challenges of dementia. A challenging subject matter, but in the hands of the talented team of the Company of Ten, the play’s tragi-comedy style has moments of great humour amongst the sadness of the subject matter.
The Father tells the story of André, an elderly man whose grip on reality begins to slip as his memories blur and relationships shift. As André struggles to make sense of his changing world, the audience is drawn into his experience, feeling the confusion, fear, and frustration that afflict him. With its clever narrative structure and flashes of humour, the drama challenges perceptions of truth, memory, and identity. It is a brilliant, deeply moving play that makes us question how we perceive reality through a story that touches all of us, whether directly or through someone we love.
The film version starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, while Hopkins won the Oscar for Best Actor.
With a talented cast, including Rory Byrne and daughter Katy Robinson, guided by Phil Reardon, one of the Company of Ten’s most experienced directors, don’t miss this unforgettable journey into the mind of a man grappling with the ravages of time.
Rory, in the lead role of André, said: “It has been incredibly rewarding to work with Katy on this play about the love that exists between a father and daughter and the impact hard choices have on this relationship.”
Katy added: “I was so excited to have the opportunity to be in a play working so closely with my Dad. The subject matter has been tough to tackle but I’m enjoying the journey and the challenge.”
Performances take place in the Abbey Theatre Studio: Friday-Saturday October 11-12, 8pm; Sunday matinée October 13, 2:30pm; Tuesday–Saturday October 15-19, 8pm.
To book tickets please go to www.abbeytheatre.org.uk or call the box office on 01727 857861
Photos by Jon Schick
