Photo by Kathleen Cavalaro/Bird & Bough

The Players’ Ring kicks off its 22nd mainstage season with the world premiere of Black Mayo, an original play by Margaret McAleese.

In Black Mayo, an Irish-American family in New York City feud over their political beliefs in the weeks leading up to the 1998 peace agreement between Ireland and Great Britain. As Brighid Mannion tries to shun her family who support the Irish Republican Army’s causes, she is faced with personal challenges along the waterway of the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, a gateway to NYC’s harbor and waterway back to Ireland. The boat she builds becomes a symbol of resiliency and shame, as her family loyalty is tested. A clan of barkeeps and artists, the Mannion family tries to persevere from centuries of political struggles, while maintaining their dignity as their legacy haunts them.

“The Belfast Agreement was signed fifteen years ago, but this play and story are relevant today,” says McAleese. “There are still pockets of conflict in Northern Ireland. In December 2012, the Belfast City Council voted to fly the Union flag on designated days, rather than year-round, causing the city to erupt in more violence. Police officers were attacked, cars were set on fire, and hundreds of people attending a Christmas celebration had to be evacuated.”

“We don’t hear much of that news in our own country because it’s happening on the other side of the pond,” says McAleese. “But there are Irish-American families who are still passionate about ‘the troubles’. This play explores the fictional Mannion family’s personal involvement with the cause as the peace agreement approaches in 1998.”

Directed by Joi Smith, Black Mayo features Kolby Hume, Whitney Smith, Lesley Hamblin, E. Christopher Clark, and Michael Lavoie.

August 30th – September 15th
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays 9/1 & 9/8 at 7pm, and Sunday 9/15 at 2pm

There will be a special event taking place on August 30th, in celebration of opening The Players’ Ring 22nd Season. Please join us for refreshments and live Irish music at 7pm, as well as a talk back with the actors, director and playwright after the performance!

Tickets $15 General and $12 Students, Seniors & Members

Players’ Ring
105 Marcy St.
Portsmouth, NH 03801

603-436-8123 for Reservations
Go to Box Office for ticket prices and to purchase tickets online

Visit our Black Mayo Photo Album