From 1963 to 2013 Dublin’s Focus Theatre, Ireland’s only art-house theatre, entertained, challenged and provoked audiences and critics alike. Founder Deirdre O’Connell used Constantin Stanislavski’s methods to train generations of brilliant Irish actors including Gabriel Byrne, Tom Hickey, Olwen Fouéré. Their performances are captured here in a unique collection of archival photographs taken by some of Ireland’s best photographers. The book charts the experimental aspect of independent Irish theatre and design with images from early work by Jim Sheridan, Mary Elizabeth Burke Kennedy and Joan Bergin. Over 110 rare images show the emotion, the passion and the dedication in each Focus production. Beautifully designed and produced, the book also features valuable insights from Focus director Joe Devlin and playwright Brian McAvera. Five Decades in Focus is a must for fans of theatre everywhere.
Far left: Gabriel Byrne and Joan Bergin in Ivan Turgenev’s A Month in the Country in 1976.
Left: Sabina Coyne and Johnny Murphy in Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler in 1970.
Far left: Kevin O’Brien and Deirdre O’Connell in Luigi Pirandello’s The Vice in 1989.
Left: Tom Hickey in Michael Harding’s The Kiss in 2009.
Five Decades in Focus is only available to order online at Blurb.com from 14th October. The price is €44.25 plus postage.
For further information please contact Joe Devlin at portobellopress.focus@gmail.com
or call 087 299 8759.
