Áine Ryan is the girl who lives down the lane...

WHILE researching female rural stereotypes in Irish theatre, for her dissertation in theatre studies at London’s Goldsmith College, Áine Ryan decided to write her own character “to add to the canon”. This 22-year-old from Tipperary, speaking on the phone from her travels in Vietnam, devised a character and then a play.

Wed, 15 Apr, 2015 - 01:00

Colette Sheridan

Kitty in the Lane is Ryan’s debut one-woman show: she plays a number of characters. The play, which received plenty praise at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, has been described by Broadway Baby review guide as “an intense, poetic study of loneliness, cruelty and rural isolation, a mesmeric continuation of the Irish literary tradition”.

The play, which will have its US premiere at the San Francisco International Arts Festival in May, tells the story of a 20-year-old woman living in an isolated cottage with her elderly father. As well as caring for him, Kitty is managing the farm alone, due to the recent death of her brother.

The action takes place on the night of a local beauty pageant, with Kitty waiting for her boyfriend to take her. As she waits, the audience is given an insight into her world. The play, a dark drama, reveals Kitty’s perspective on life as a young woman in a lonesome environment. There is comic relief from Kitty’s witty and astute observations, as well as anecdotes about her own, past reckless behaviour.

Ryan, who has lived in London and Edinburgh, as well as in Lithuania, says that being away from Ireland helps her writing. “Generally, everything I write is set in Ireland, so I think I have a clearer viewpoint when I’m away from home. As clichéd as that is for Irish writers, it exposes me to fresh ideas.”

With six free weeks, Ryan travelled to Vietnam and surrounding countries. “I came to Vietnam to write. I’ve been writing a short story collection with the stories based in Europe. Now, I think I might write stories based in Asia. I’ve learned so much experiencing different cultures.”

For years, Ryan was focused solely on acting. “But I realised that it’s my imagination that I’m into, seeing stories come alive. While I absolutely love performing, as I get a little older I’m figuring that writing is where my heart is. So combining both is ideal. As well as venturing into prose writing, I have written three plays. It’s wonderful to be able to write, because you have so much control in that world compared to the acting world. Acting is a more filtered profession, where your work is at the discretion of casting directors. In writing, there are no barriers in your way to achieving success.”

Ryan is confident that she can attract a reputable publisher for her short stories. But, for the moment, her focus is on Kitty. The two mile-long lane along which she lives is a metaphor for Kitty’s life. Tied to home, away from the outside world, the play is about choosing whether to stay or go. “I’m interested in the psychology of people who hold back on their potential. Most people are guilty of that.

“The question is whether Kitty is at home to take care of her father, or because she feels some connection to the land. Throughout the play, you’re wondering if she can make a go of having a good life or will she hold back and let isolation be her life. She’s smart, but confused. There are lots of twists along the way.”