Shortlisted for the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Best Theatre Play 2011
Young New Yorker Michael Doyle decides to live up to his Irish heritage by joining the IRA. He’s recruited by Costello, the charismatic ‘Big Fellah’, who wants to use Doyle’s brownstone apartment in The Bronx as a safe house for an escaped killer. But it soon becomes clear that someone is leaking information to the FBI... Set among Irish Americans in New York, Richard Bean’s dark, glinting, funny play spans three turbulent decades. A boisterous and witty story of loyalty, disillusionment and betrayal.
‘This is the funniest play about Irish troublemakers since Bill Morrison’s ‘Flying Blind’... The West End surely beckons.’- Michael Coveney, What's On Theatre
‘Bean’s play is very funny, full of sharp contrasts between grim hilarity and gut-wrenching reversals.’ - The Stage
‘One moment you’re exploding with mirth at its sly abrasive wit, the next its choking the laughter out of your throat. Directed with thrilling energy and searing precision by Max Stafford-Clark’ CRITICS CHOICE 4 STARS- Time Out