Quietly exploring the effects of violence
OWEN McCafferty first came to national prominence in the 1990s with works like Mojo Mickeybo and Shoot the Crow. The plays Closing Time and Scenes from the Big Picture have also earned him plaudits in the UK, the latter winning myriad awards after debuting at the Royal National Theatre in 2003. His new play, Quietly, begins a run this week in the Peacock in Dublin. It is the Belfast writer’s first commission for the Republic’s national theatre.
Though McCafferty is not a man for soft talk, he says the commission is a milestone for him. “In the arc of my career, if there is such a thing, that always felt as if it was missing,” he says. “Now, me saying that out loud now makes it sound like that’s something I could have easily corrected. It’s not really. Where your work goes on is a bit beyond your control. But it’s a very significant thing for me and, hopefully, the relationship continues.”
