Birthright
August to September 2023
“There should be no favourites in this house, nor in any other house, neither.”
​
The first London production in more than 90 years
​
Rural Ireland just before the First World War.
​
Bat and Maura Morrissey have two fine sons. Hugh is idealistic and accomplished: an altar boy, poet, captain of the hurling team, and pride of his mother. Shane is a born farmer: diligent, obedient, and hardworking.
​
Much to Bat’s frustration, tradition dictates that Hugh is set to take over the farm, whilst Shane will be forced to emigrate to America.
​
Over the course of one day, family ambition collides with Hugh’s birthright, and the close-knit family is torn apart forever…
Inspired by the biblical story of Esau and Jacob, Birthright is a forgotten masterpiece of Irish theatre.
Production Information
Previews:
Press Night:
Production Dates:
Production Venue:
Production Role:
5th and 6th September 2023
​
7th and 8th September 2023
​
9th September to 20th September
Finborough Theatre
​
​
Producer
Reviews for Birthright
"a pressure cooker with the dial turned up high and staying there"
★★★★★ London Pub Theatres
"The Finborough is absolutely right to return this firecracker of a play to the stage."
★★★★ + half★ The Reviews Hub
"Carrie Croft’s production of Birthright at the Finborough is powerful and intense and gave me goosebumps in this heatwave."
★★★★ Lost in Theatreland
"The Finborough is absolutely right to return this firecracker of a play to the stage."
★★★★ North West End
"It grips you so that you are willing it to end in a certain way, yet knowing all the time that tragedy is just around the corner. VERY powerful."
★★★★ LondonTheatre1
​
"Director Scott Hurran has allowed his cast to pull out all the stops and when things are resolved there occurs one of the most violent scenes ever to grace the Finborough stage."
★★★★ Reviewsgate
"The audience feels completely immersed in the 100-year-old farm that evokes the passing of time, as well as an air of fragility."
★★★★ Breaking the Fourth Wall
​
"There’s no denying Birthright’s sheer power, authenticity and perennial struggle played out between natural justice and lagging custom"
Fringe Review Hidden Gem
Cast
Pàdraig Lynch
Rosie Armstrong
Peter Broderick
Thomas Fitzgerald
Aiden McGleenan
Bat Morrissey
Maura Morrissey
Shane Morrissey
Hugh Morrissey
Dan Heggarty
Creative Team
Playwright:
Director:
Lighting Designer:
Sound Designer:
Set and Costume Designer:
Fight Director:
Producer:
Associate Producer:
Stage Manager:
Production Photography by:
T. C. Murray
​
Scott Hurran
​
Catja Hamilton
​
Chris Warner
​
​
Raphaella Philcox
​
Dimitris Kafataris
​
Carrie Croft
​
Mahogany Allen
​
Charlotte Guy & Kiara Atkinson
​
​
Craig Fuller
​