2010 NATIONAL TOUR

Garter Lane

BRIGHTON

By Jim Nolan

Brighton was written by distinguished Waterford playwright Jim Nolan. Commissioned by Garter Lane with funding from the Arts Council it opened at Garter Lane Theatre, Waterford in May 2010 and toured nationally in association with the Strollers Network later that year.

Directed by Ben Barnes, with set and lighting designs by Joe Vanek and John Comiskey, Brighton was an outstanding success and featured actors Gillian Hanna, Mark Lambert and Andrew Macklin.

Set in the Sisters of Calvary Nursing Home in London, the play was a poignant, richly comic and resoundingly affirmative hymn to old age which followed elderly Irishwoman, Fulham FC supporter and ‘Terror of the Third Floor', Lily Thompson on her last great adventure. Sustained by her daily pilgrimage to the shopping mall at Hammersmith Tube station and the friendship of care assistant and passionate Arsenal fan, Dave, the arrival of a new resident, the celebrated actor Jack Dunhill, brought them all unexpected challenges. The tour attracted extremely positive critical notices and was acclaimed by standing ovations  at all tour venues.

“An almost capacity audience rose in celebration and acclamation for Jim Nolan and his latest play, ‘Brighton’, at Garter Lane Arts Centre on Satuday last,May Day. Amid tears, cheers and a glorious feelgood rush of emotion this was a standing ovation for success and resilience and the ordinary extraordinary miracle of the human spirit.”

Liam Murphy - The Munster Express

 

“The play is entertaining and the script sparkles with well observed everyday wit and humour”

Úna Kealy – Irish Theatre Magazine

 

“a stunningly beautiful play”

John McKenna - Arena Radio review