When the Irish fought the mafia

THE Abbey Theatre is opening the national stage to emergent Irish writers during the coming months.

Elaine Murphy’s comedy, Shush, premieres in May, while this month features Richard Dormer with his own new play, Drum Belly.

“It’s a play about the beginning of the demise of the Irish mafia in New York,” says Dormer, fresh from rehearsals. “It’s set in Brooklyn in 1969 during the eight-day period of the Apollo 11 moon landing. I suppose you could call it a thriller. It’s darkly funny and it explores themes of friendship, trust and betrayal.”