Charlie DelMarcelle and Mike Dees as "Da" and Thomas.
“Trad,” a play by Irish comedian Mark Doherty and a popular production by the Inis Nua Theater Company is returning to Philadelphia as part of the 13th annual PhiladelphiaLive Arts-Fringe Festival in September.
A comic take on the hero’s journey, the play follows the path taken by Thomas, a 100-year-old Irish bachelor farmer and his even older “Da” as they search for the child Thomas sired 70 years before. In the course of their sojourn, they experience a little culture shock, much like someone who hasn’t been back to Ireland in the last decade or so might experience today.
“We’re incredibly excited to be part of the Philly Fringe and to bring ‘Trad’ back for another go-round,” says Inis Nua Artistic Director Tom Reing. “When we produced ‘Trad’ as part of the Live Arts Festival two years ago, it received a great response. We have such a good time with this show,we wanted to bring it back for a longer run, not only for the audience but for ourselves.”
In addition to performing in the Philly Fringe, Inis Nua will also be producing “Trad” in NYC as part of the First Irish Festival, running concurrently with the Fringe.
“It’s going to be a lot of work, but we’re really excited to be performing in both cities,” Reing says. “We’ll be splitting the weeks up, half in New York, half here at home.”
Playwright Mark Doherty’s radio credits include “Only Slaggin,'” “A Hundred and Something,” “Stand-up Sketches” and “The Bees of Manulla” for RTE, and “The O’Show” for BBC Radio 4. He has written for, and appeared in, various TV shows, including “The Stand Up Show” and “Back to the Future” for the BBC, and” Couched,” a 6-part comedy series for RTE. He has also workedextensively as a stand-up comedian and actor. He was the recipient of the 2004 BBC Radio Drama Award (Stewart Parker Award) for Trad. Doherty also wrote and starred in the movie,” A Film with Me in It.”
Inis Nua Artistic Director and founder,Tom Reing, will helm the production. His credits include all Inis Nua productions to date (A Play on Two Chairs, Tadhig Stray Wandered In, Crazy Gary’s Mobile Disco, Skin Deep, Made in China ). Tom has also directed for (among others) Azuka Theatre, Shakespeare in Clark Park, Brat Productions and at the Walnut Street Theater.
The cast includes Barrymore-Award-winning Mike Dees as Thomas, Inis Nua favorite Charlie DelMarcelle as Da and Associate Artistic Director Jared Michael Delaney as Sal/Fr. Rice. “Trad” also features musician John Lionarons on hammer dulcimer, fiddle, accordion and tin whistle, providing live sound on stage.
You can see “Trad” at the Amaryllis at the Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia on the following dates:
September 3 at 8 PM; September 4 at 8 and 10 PM ; September 9 at 7 PM; September 10 at 9 PM; September 11 at 9 PM; September 16 at 6 PM; September 17 at 9 PM; September 18 at 7 PM; September 23 at 8 PM; September 24 at 8 PM; September 25 at 8 PM.
Tickets are $15 and available by calling 215-413-1318.