Galway's Druid Theatre celebrates 50 years of production brilliance – ‘So many have given their hearts to this over the years'
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Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Extra.ie
Nicola Coughlan shares tribute following wrap on 'terrifying' yet 'liberating' experience
Bridgerton and Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan has wrapped production on her next project, I Am Helen, and is full of praise for the team behind making the story. It was announced earlier this summer that the 38-year-old would be starring in the next two-part story from Dominic Savage called 'I Am Helen' alongside Peaky Blinders and Gangs of London star Joe Cole. The BAFTA-winning series first premiered in 2019, and is known for its standalone episodes that explore women's experiences through character-driven, improvised storytelling that is co-developed by Savage alongside its lead actor. Nicola Coughlan. Pic: Jeff Spicer/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Previous participants include Kate Winslet, Letitia Wright, Lesley Manville and Samantha Morton, with Nicola announcing that production has now wrapped on her instalment. Sharing an image with Dominic Savage to her Instagram, she wrote: 'That's a wrap on I Am Helen. It's been an experience that has been in equal parts deeply terrifying and deeply liberating. 'I'm immeasurably grateful to the brilliant [Dominic Savage] for trusting me to tell this story. I've been so lucky to act alongside the incredibly talented [Joe Cole] and the rest of the stellar cast put together by @shaheenbaigcasting. [Me and You Productions] who have been so supportive and made this project happen. 'And last but not least I'm so grateful to the small but mighty crew who made this show, what an honour to share this experience alongside you. I Am Helen will be coming to [Channel 4] at some point and I can't wait to share it with you all x' The Galway native will be keeping busy over the next few months, with the actor set to make her London stage debut this December. Coughlan and her fellow Derry Girls star Siobhán McSweeney will be starring in the National Theatre and Abbey Theatre co-production of The Playboy of the Western World in London from December 2025-February 2026.
Extra.ie
14-08-2025
- Extra.ie
WATCH: Fans swoon over sultry first look at Playboy of the Western World revival
Audiences are already in a frenzy after a sultry first glimpse of The Playboy of the Western World hit our screens. The beloved play returns in a bold new production from Abbey Theatre Artistic Director Catriona McLaughlin and boasts a star studded Irish cast. The preview, a co-production between Dublin's Abbey Theatre and London's National Theatre, has set social media alight with whispers of its daring tone and electrifying cast. Audiences are already in a frenzy after a sultry first glimpse of The Playboy of the Western World hit our screens. Nicola Coughlan brings fire to the role of Margaret Flaherty, opposite Siobhán McSweeney's sharp-witted Widow Quin, while Éanna Hardwicke takes centre stage as the enigmatic Christopher Mahon. Joining them are Megan Cusack as Susan Brady, Lorcan Cranitch as Michael James Flaherty, and Marty Rea as the pious Shawn Keogh—together promising a revival that's as seductive as it is subversive. In a brief clip shared to TikTok, former Derry Girls Nicola and Siobhán can be seen trapped behind glass as they fawn over a knitwear clad Hardwicke among other admirers. Nicola briefly breaks free and perches herself next to the Cork native as she stares at him longingly, before directing her attention back to the audience. Fans were quick to take to the comments to show the sultry promo some love. 'Sweet suffering Jesus,' one user shared. Nicola Coughlan brings fire to the role of Margaret Flaherty, opposite Siobhán McSweeney's sharp-witted Widow Quin, while Éanna Hardwicke takes centre stage as the enigmatic Christopher Mahon. Pic:'I would die if @nicolacoughlan looked at me like that,' another penned. 'So excited to watch Siobhán and Nic together again, they are absolute magic! The chemistry already with Éanna is soooo good!' a third lauded. For those unfamiliar with the story, it depicts how Pegeen Flaherty's life is turned upside down when, on a normal day, a young man walks into her pub claiming that he's killed his father. Instead of being shunned, the killer Christy Mahon becomes a local hero. The welcome murderer wins hearts and races as he beds himself into village life. That is until a second man unexpectedly arrives on the scene. Playboy of the Western World takes to the London stage from Thursday, December 4, 2025 until Saturday February 28, 2026.
Extra.ie
14-08-2025
- Extra.ie
Nicola Coughlan and Siobhan McSweeney to star in The Playboy of the Western World production
The Royal National Theatre has released the trailer for their upcoming production of The Playboy of the Western World, featuring a star-studded cast of Irish talent. Caitríona McLaughlin, artistic director of the Abbey Theatre, directs John Millington Synge's classic play about life in rural Ireland. The production reunites Nicola Coughlan with Derry Girls co-star Siobhan McSweeney, performing alongside Éanna Hardwicke (Normal People). The ensemble cast also includes Declan Conlon, Lorcan Cranitch, Megan Cusack and Marty Rea. Coughlan stars as Margaret Flaherty, a young barmaid bored with life in her small village until Christy Mahon (Hardwicke) stumbles into her pub, bragging that he killed his own father. Mahon charms the whole town — though Widow Quin (McSweeney) suspects something is not as it seems with the dangerous stranger — until a mysterious new man enters the scene. The play's creative team features composer Anna Mullarkey, set and costume designer Katie Davenport, sound designer Adrienne Quartly and lighting designer James Farncombe. Alastair Coomer CDG and Naomi Downham were responsible for casting. The Playboy of the Western World will run at the Lyttelton Theatre in London from December 4, 2025, through February 28, 2026.
