KING tells the story of Luther, a man from Cork named in honour of his Granny Bee Baw’s hero, Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
Luther only leaves his apartment for essential journeys — and to perform as an Elvis impersonator. The play explores prejudice, privilege, and resilience, as Luther struggles to live life to the full.
King is the fifth collaboration between Pat Kinevane and Fishamble, with Jim Culleton as director. The production was developed with the support of Nasc Network Commission and Georganne Aldrich Heller.
Fishamble and Pat Kinevane have previously collaborated on FORGOTTEN, SILENT, UNDERNEATH, and BEFORE, which have won major international awards including Olivier, Fringe First, Herald Archangel, Adelaide Fringe, and Helen Hayes awards. They have been called BRILLIANT (Irish Times), EXTRAORDINARY (New York Times), STUNNING (Scotsman), DAZZLING (Guardian), and MESMERISING (Sydney Morning Herald). Now, Fishamble and Pat Kinevane, under the direction of Jim Culleton, and with music by Denis Clohessy, return with this very special fifth solo play.
"Incredibly compelling and poignant narrative." Irish Times
"Virtuosic theatricality…excellent…inventive." Irish Independent
"An impressive psychological portrait…such a skilled performer." The List
Pat Kinevane
Pat Kinevane is a native of Cobh, Co. Cork. He has worked as an actor in theatre, film, television and radio for 30 years. In 2016 Pat won a Laurence Olivier Award in London for his Outstanding Achievement as an Actor and a Writer this year. This prestigious award was shared with Fishamble and Jim Culleton who have been integral to the Production and Direction of Pat’s three Solo Shows. As a writer he completed his first full length play The Nun’s Wood in 1997 which won a BBC Stewart Parker Trust Award and was produced by Fishamble. Fishamble then produced his second play The Plains of Enna (Dublin Theatre Festival 1999). Pat wrote The Death of Herod for Mysteries 2000 at the SFX. In 2008 his piece Evangeline Elsewhere premiered in New York in the First Irish Festival.
Fishamble
Fishamble discovers, develops and produces new plays of national importance with a global reach. It has toured its productions to audiences throughout Ireland, and to 21 other countries. It champions the role of the playwright, typically supporting over 50% of the writers of all new plays produced on the island of Ireland each year. Fishamble has received many awards in Ireland and internationally, including an Olivier Award. Fishamble is funded by the Arts Council, Dublin City Council, and Culture Ireland.
