The greatly anticipated opening night of Sean O ‘Casey’s JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK at the Abbey Theatre took place as part of the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival 2011. Appearing on the Abbey stage in the role of Juno Boyle was Sinéad Cusack, only the seventh actress in the history of the Abbey Theatre to play the iconic part. Joining Sinéad was Ciarán Hinds in the role of Captain Jack Boyle and Risteárd Cooper playing Joxer Daly, in what was the 45th production of the show. Pictured above Kathy and Pat Kenny with Suzanne McLoughlin.

Joan Sheahy, Kieran Gough and Gillian McCarthy

One of the hottest tickets in town on the night, those in attendance included President Mary McAleese and Senator Martin McAleese, British Ambassador Julian King, Shivaun O’ Casey, Jeremy Irons, Stephen Rea, Pat Kenny, John Mc Colgan, Peter O’Brien and many more well know faces.

Joan Bergin

Fiona O'Shaughnessy

Janet Moran

Juliet Horsley, Charlotte Sutton and Beckie Sayer. Pix Kieran Harnett

Set in a tenement house in Dublin during the Irish Civil War of 1922, it is an epic tale of survival and vengeance punctuated by dreadful poverty. A wonderful evening’s entertainment was had by all at the opening night to see a cast that also includes Clare Dunne, Janet Moran, Tom Vaughan Lawlor, Ronan Raftery and Bernadette McKenna.

JUNO AND THE PAYOCK runs at the Abbey Theatre until November 5th 2011. For booking and info call 01 8787222 or see www.abbeytheatre.ie

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