Heartbreak House Premieres at the Abbey this August

George Bernard Shaw’s play, Heartbreak House, comes to the Abbey Theatre this summer, running from August 14th until September 13th.

Directed by Róisín McBrinn, Shaw’s eccentric play, which was first published in 1919, is set on the eve of World War One, when Ellie Dunne (Lisa Dwyer Hogg) is invited to a dinner party. The party is hosted by Captain Shotover’s (Mark Lambert) bohemian family in his grand country home and young, attractive Ellie is the first of the many guests to arrive.

The Captain’s eldest daughter, Mrs. Hushabye (Kathy Kiera Clarke), has invited Ellie to the party in an attempt to persuade her against marrying millionaire industrialist, Alfred Mangan (Don Wycherley), for money.

An entertaining debate on matters of the heart ensues and Shaw’s unmistakeable humour and stinging observations allow for a satirical look at the doomed British high society of the time.

George Bernard Shaw is one of Ireland’s greatest writers. The playwright of over 60 plays, Shaw was awarded both a Nobel Prize and an Oscar for his literature and his work in film. Some of Shaw’s best known work includes Pygmalion, Major Barbara, and Saint Joan.

The play is director Róisín McBrinn’s Abbey debut and it is the theatre’s first ever production of the play.

Heartbreak House by George Bernard Shaw shows on the Abbey Stage from Thursday August 14th to Saturday August 13th. Previews are from 14th-19th August. Performances are at 7.30pm Monday to Saturday and matinee performances are on Saturdays at 2pm.

Tickets are priced between €13 and €45 and can be purchased online. Further details on the performances can also be found on the Abbey Theatre website.