Brian Merriman's poem, Cuirt an Mhean Oiche, has inspired several stage adaptations, notably the Druid company's rumbustious version. Tom MacIntyre, whose style has always been inimitably his own, has now provided another, this one in the Irish language, for the Abbey Theatre on tour.
An impressive cast - including Karen Ardiff, Barry Barnes, Brendan Conroy, Brid Ni Neachtain and Niall O Sioradain - has been assembled for this new plunge into the troubled waters of Irish sexuality. The tour has begun in Galway's Taibhdhearc, with a final performance tonight, and moves on to the Aran island of Inis Meain, Carraroe, Carrowteige, Gweedore, Belfast, Longford, Meath, Waterford, Dingle and, finally, the Peacock Theatre in Dublin. It's an impressive touring programme by the Abbey.