Celebrated play Kings of the Kilburn High Road comes to Roscommon

Jimmy Murphy's acclaimed play Kings of the Kilburn High Road will be staged at the Roscommon Arts Centre this Saturday, July 4.

Staged by Pure Mule Productions, the celebrated play depicts the immigrant experience of the working-class Irish diaspora living in England in the 1970s. The play is a part of the 25th year celebrations of Roscommon Arts Centre. The play stars Peadar Conway, Gerry Farrell, Brian Gallagher, Michael McLoughlin, and Niall Brewster.

Rendered in a humourous style, the play brings together four Irish emigrants, leaving home for England in the hopes of making a fortune. When they hear of a fellow emigrant's passing, the bunch returns home, to honour his memory over a few drinks. As the four friends take a look at their lives, lost dreams and their place in the new Ireland, the evening reveals complex layers of being othered, and belonging.

The writing neatly weaves together light comedy, a poignant exploration of friendship, displacement, identity, and immigrant experience. When it was launched in 2000, the play was so well received that it inspired a film adaption titled Kings. The film was Ireland's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film in 2007.

The production house, is a newly established theatre company based in Carrick-on-Shannon, dedicated to bringing live theatre to stages throughout the local region.

Kings of the Kilburn High School will be staged on Saturday, July 4, 8pm, at the Roscommon Arts Centre. Entry tickets are priced at €20. For more details contact 090 6625824 or www.roscommonartscentre.ie .