The Oberon Anthology of Contemporary Irish Plays
Page 26
SIMON DOYLE
Simon Doyle is a writer based in Dublin. Texts for stage include: Thwaite (2003), a libretto for an opera by Jürgen Simpson, directed by Dan Jemmett for Almeida Aldeborough Opera and Opera Theatre Company and staged in London, Dublin and Aldeborough; Oedipus Loves You (2006), co-written and directed by Gavin Quinn for Pan Pan Theatre, which premiered in Dublin and toured internationally; Off Plan (2010), an adaptation of The Oresteia by Aeschylus, directed by Rachel West for RAW productions, premiered at Project Arts Centre, Dublin; The Truth of the Moon (2010), a monologue written for Sonya Kelly and directed by Sophie Motley for ANU Productions, premiered at The New Theatre, Dublin.
GAVIN QUINN
Gavin was born in Dublin in 1969. He is joint artistic director of Pan Pan Theatre, which he founded with Aedín Cosgrove in 1991. Selected productions include, A Bronze Twist of Your Serpent Muscles by Gavin Quinn (winner of Best Overall Production, Dublin Fringe Festival, 1995), Cartoon (1997), Standoffish by Gavin Quinn (Best Production, Advertiser, Adelaide, 2000), Deflowerfucked by Gavin Quinn (2001), Mac-Beth 7 (2004), One: Healing with Theatre (2005), The Playboy of the Western World by John Millington Synge (in both Beijing and Dublin, in Mandarin and with a Chinese cast, 2006), Oedipus Loves You by Gavin Quinn and Simon Doyle (2006), The Crumb Trail by Gina Moxley (2009), The Rehearsal, Playing the Dane (Winner of best production, best design, Irish Times Theatre Awards, 2010), All That Fall by Samuel Beckett (2011), A Doll House (2012).
Opera directing credits include, The 4 Note Opera (Tom Johnson, 2000), The Magic Flute for OTC, Hamelin for OTC (Ian Wilson, 2003), The Abduction from the Seraglio for ETO (Hackney Empire, London 2007), and Così Fan Tutti for Opera Ireland (2007).
NEIL WATKINS
Neil Watkins lives in Dublin City. A former member of Dublin Youth Theatre, he went on to study acting at Drama Centre London. He has written and directed The Ugly Penguin Scenarios and Covers for Dublin Youth Theatre. Neil founded Gentle Giant Theatre Company to produce his own writing and to create opportunites to perform and direct. For Gentle Giant he has produced; The Ugly Penguin Scenarios, Love In A Time Of Affluence, (nominated for the Stuart Parker Award for Best New Writing), A Cure For Homosexuality (published by Cork Press in Queer Notions), The Heidi Konnt XXXmas Story, Dublin City Counselling (Spirit of the Fringe nominee) and The Dark Room (Spirit of the Fringe nominee). Neil has worked as an actor in theatre, TV and film in Ireland, appearing in the national soap opera Fair City as a Norwegian child minder called Karl Hansen and the nation’s favorite satire The Savage Eye as various characters with Dave McSavage. Neil recently appeared opposite one of his acting heroes Martin Sheen in the film Stella Days.
He emceed the performance art night club Werk at Ireland’s National Theatre with thisispopbaby. He has toured internationally with Sean Millar’s Brokentalkers’ Silver Stars. And with support from the British Council in Ireland he was mentored by renowned Manchester/London-based performance artist David Hoyle. He has guest appeared at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern with David in London. Neil has also proudly performed alongside Gavin Friday and Sinead O’ Connor for Gavins’ “Catholic” concert at the Olypmia Theatre.
He scored the first international try for the Irish Gay Rugby Team at the Bingham Cup in London 2004 and won the title of Alternative Miss Ireland 2005 as Heidi Konnt.
As singer-songwriter Neil has recently formed the band Buffalo Woman with criticically acclaimed musician and theatre-maker Sean Millar.
At the time of print Neil is under commision to Calippo Theatre Company to rewrite his 2007 Fringe Show, critically acclaimed smash (***** Irish Times), Dublin City Counselling.
Neil enjoys New Writing, Cinema, Art, Music Festivals, Bikram Yoga, DaftPunk’s soundtrack to Tron and having the craic with buzzers. Neil is delighted and proud for The Year of Magical Wanking to be included in this anthology.
Namaste to one and all.
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