Peer Gynt, Arthur Riordan’s new version of Ibsen’s classic epic, was programmed as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival in the O’Reilly Theatre.
Peer Gynt, the boy who never grew up, the escapologist extraordinaire. From the author of Improbable Frequency comes a new take on Ibsen’s epic study of delusion, self-evasion and wild imaginings. Caught between his angel and his demon, haunted by the women he loved, lost and betrayed, catapulted through a life built on fantasy, he is finally forced to face himself. Fast, funny, told by a classic Rough Magic cast with the surreal humour that is the company’s trademark, with a spectacular visual interpretation and live music from the brilliant ensemble Tarab, this is truly a story for our times.
Arthur Riordan is a playwright and actor, and a founder member of Rough Magic.
Arthur’s writing includes the libretto for Andrew Synnott’s Dubliners opera (for Opera Theatre Company and Wexford Festival Opera), the book and lyrics for the musical The Train, (for Rough Magic, music by Bill Whelan) an adaptation of Ibsen’s Peer Gynt (for Rough Magic, music by Tarab), a stage adaptation of Flann O’Brien’s Slattery’s Sago Saga (for The Performance Corporation), the multi-award-winning musical Improbable Frequency (for Rough Magic, music by Conor Kelly and Sam Park), and a one-man show, The Emergency Session (also for Rough Magic); as well as Love Me?! (for The Corn Exchange), and two collaborations with Des Bishop – Rap Éire (for Bickerstaffe), and Shooting Gallery (for Bedrock Productions).
