The Playwrights Database
JIM LUCASON
(1962 - )Nationality: Irish/American
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Literary Agent: Bill Flynn One Co LLC
Presently, Jim Lucason commutes between Dun Chaoin, Ireland and America where he is a member of New York's Actors Studio Playwrights/Directors Unit. His play "the Rapparees" is the 2012 winner of the eamon Keane Playwriting Award at Listowel the play will begin its development with a staged reading November 24, 2012 at Siamsa Tire (the National Folk Theatre of Ireland) in Tralee. Many, many years ago (1967-68) he worked under Arvin Brown at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut. At that time Siobhan McKenna of Ireland's Abbey Theatre had come over to make her directorial debut of "the Playboy of the Western World" and Jim was blessed to have a miniscule role in the production. Working with Ms. McKenna planted the seed for his growth as an American born Irish writer. Around the same time Constance Welch of the Yale School of Drama took an interest in Jim's talents and continued the nurturing as he began working with Walter Tevis (the Hustler) and then William Gibson ("the Miracle Worker"). Finally, equipped with an MFA from Brandeis University (1971) Jim set out to hone his skills working as a foundry worker, coal miner, longshoreman, construction worker, cowhand and educator. Karl Wallace and Siamese Tire in Tralee (Kerry Playwright's Platform) took the play "Dancing with the Devil" beginning its developmental process in Ballydavid and again at the Blasket Center in Dun Chaoin. the plays are a continuation of Austin Clarke and JM Synge's focus on erin's peasant life. Lucason's plays have been produced in America and are in development in Ireland. there have been four published novels (1998 -2012). the newest Time and Distance was launched in Dingle, Ireland earlier this year. William Gibson: "Lucason's tongue is gifted with a kind of Irish gayety, witty and charming." Norman Mailer: "To declare that Mr. L understands doubtless a lot in the 'spooky Art'." Aideen Howard, the Literary Director at the Abbey Theatre in Ireland about "West Kerry": ". . .faithful depiction of 1916 Ireland . . . strong characters are entirely believable . . . fluid and consistent style of dialogue . . . praise for the many light-hearted and humorous moments within the script etc." "Irish poets learn their trade in public houses where, as Yeats said, they 'sing whatever is well made.' Whiskey wakens private lusts, and their voices are amplified through gallons of tears. Jim Lucason's "West Kerry" is a very witty play about a man about to marry a barmaid, 'a hard, cruel woman who won't listen to a man who walked miles to see her smile.' Many a smart drop is drunk in O'Reilly's pub on this night. When the merriment ends, come dawn, they have nowhere to go except return to the 'gloom of their homes.'" Christopher BUSA Provincetown Arts Magazine "'West Kerry', set in 1916, is an evocative piece, rich in style and language." Celia de Freine Irish poet. 'the Last Rightboy': ". . .beautiful piece . . .a powerful tale and use of Irish language very passionately reflects the music of the Irish dialect and gives great honesty to the characters." Jeremy B Cohen Hartford Stage Company. Sarah Miles, noted English actress on "Dancing with the Devil". "It reads wonderfully Irish, rich in poetry with excEllently colourful dialogue. the story line is well constructured too. . .." "This is an author who has lived a lot and through irreverence, suffering, joy and desire runs the gamut of emotions and understanding inherent in the working class condition. I find these plays compelling. they celebrate the inviolate sanctity of the human heart." Frank Foley WOMR. A small New england press published Jim's first two novels the Clearing and Horsethief Moon written as Jim McBride. erica Noonan (the Boston Sunday Herald) has characterized the novel the Clearing as: "Much like the sentimental Bridges of Madison County this meloDramatic, though sweet-natured love story brings two romantic souls together for a short, but magical time amid the pressure of outside obligations." the Cape Cod Times called it, "A tender taut tale of love and mystery spanning the centuries between the pilgrim era and our own." Gloria Miller in the Literary Times said, "Fabulous three dimensional characters . . . McBride thoroughly examines the meaning of love and he does it brilliantly." Romantic Times Magazine said, "Jim McBride's writing refreshes like a summer rain. His unfettered style and keen sense of observation are achingly poetic. Horsethief Moon will steal your heart by its sheer honesty". Chuck Potter from WSUB said, "McBride uses language like a concert violinist to wend through time and emotion . . ." And WOMR professed, "What wonderful words and imagery" which echoed the sentiments of the Gallup Independent " . . . reads like a country love song." "Paul Coelho is generally regarded as the main literary philosopher but in Jim Lucason we may just have found our own." Time and Distance comment Mike O'Hare Corca Dhuibhne Beo - West Kerry Live. "the realistic portrayal of strong, believable characters in the two pieces ("West Kerry and the Last Rightboy") coupled with the author's obvious relish for language and local speech rhythms marks him out as a storyteller. . .." Michael O'sullivan the Irish Democrat. "Jim Lucason may define what it means to be a Renaissance man." Sue Harrison Provincetown BAnner
Research: Member of the Dramatists Guild of America (as at 2015)
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below is a list of Jim Lucason's plays - click on a Play Title for more information
Dancing with the Devil Furniture God's Wheelhouse Good Will, Some Will, Some Won't Journey to the Underword Last Rightboy, The Machine, The West KerryDancing with the Devil
Synopsis:
Dancing with the Devil Dun Chaoin 1896. Fifty years earlier Margaret O'Connell and her younger sister Cathleen, orphaned by the loss of their Father and mother, suffer through the famine of 1846 and the subsequent worst snowstorm in Ireland's history. When all attempts and appeals to friends, neighbors and God fall upon deaf ears Margaret calls upon the devil for assistance. the promissory note guaranteeing the commitment of her soul to perdition grants Margaret and Cathleen five more decades of survival and togetherness. Squeaking out a meager existence by shaving the wool off of wandering sheep (unbeknownst to their owners) the two sisters weave the wool into flannel cloth, which is sold at local markets and fairs. On the day the fifty years' agreement comes due the devil, Fergus Byrne, arrives to collect payment of Margaret's soul. After enjoying the hospitality and drink provided him and always interested in doubling his profit Byrne agrees to a battle of wits with the younger sister Cathleen. Cathleen puts her soul on the line in order to save her sister's.
Notes:
Staged readings Siamsa Tire, Tralee & the Blasket Centre, Dun Chaoin, Ireland
1st Produced:
Not Produced - Staged Readings Siamsa Tire & The Blasket Centre -
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Male: 1 Female: 2 Other: -
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Top of PageFurniture
Synopsis:
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1st Produced:
Pulpit Rock Artist's Theatre, Woodstock, Ct America -
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Play
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageGod's Wheelhouse
Synopsis:
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1st Produced:
Laurie Theatre, Waltham, Ma -
Organisations:
Laurie Theatre
1st Published:
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If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
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Play
Parts:
Male: 4 Female: 1 Other: -
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Top of PageGood Will, Some Will, Some Won't
Synopsis:
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1st Produced:
The Exit Theatre, New Haven, Ct America -
Organisations:
the exit Theatre
1st Published:
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Music:
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Genre:
Play
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageJourney to the Underword
Synopsis:
A play of malApropisms
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Laurie Theatre, Waltham, Ma -
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1st Published:
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Music:
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Top of PageLast Rightboy, The
the Last Rightboy - Mayo 1860. Maurya O'Connor loses her husband in a tragic accident and is left alone with her 12 year old son Paddy to eke out an existence on their poor tenant farm. Robert Whitehead, the agent for the National Bank, informs the O'Connors they have a week's time to pay off the entire debt or be evicted. Two brothers, Liam and John Joseph Keogh, stop for help at the O'Connor's cottage after the younger brother has been wounded. Nursed back to health Liam gives them the money to pay off their debt and unbeknownst to Maurya provides Paddy with a revolver for protection. the day the note is paid off Robert Whitehead is robbed by two men who steal the agent's money, horse and boots. Whitehead returns to the O'Connor farm demanding the use of their horse. Refusing to help him Maurya is attacked by an angered Whitehead. Paddy, protecting his mother, retrieves the revolver and forces Whitehead to leave. Later, Whitehead returns and breaks into the O'Connor cottage. A struggle ensues and Mauyra is mortally wounded. Recovering the revolver during the fracas Paddy, without impulse, takes retribution into his own hands and slays Whitehead.
Notes:
the Last Rightboy began with staged readings at the Provincetown theatre and then moved to the Beachcombers
1st Produced:
Provincetown, Ma, The Beachcombers 2007
Organisations:
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1st Published:
Beag Moinear Press, 2008 978-0965046626
Music:
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Genre:
Play
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 1 Other: 12 year old boy
Further Reference:
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Top of PageMachine, The
Synopsis:
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Notes:
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1st Produced:
Laurie Theatre, Waltham, Ma -
Organisations:
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1st Published:
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Music:
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Genre:
Play
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageWest Kerry
WeST KeRRY April 1916 Timothy Michael O'Brien has promised to wed Maire Kelly, a young woman, who works for the publican Reilly. Two weeks before their nuptials Tim goes seeking adventure so as to have stories to tell his children in his old age. Successful, he meets the most interesting characters ever imagined and relates to his bar mates at Reilly's his experiences, including a meeting with James Connolly on the morning of the infamous easter Uprising. Upon his attempt to march down Sackville Street to the General Post Office, with the other members of the Citizen Army, Tim was halted by the ghost of his dead brother Boogs who told him the time was not ripe for success and that many more Irish, and many more years would be needed before a victory could be achieved. Disappointed, but enlightened, Tim is hopeful Maire will still have him and they can do their part to provide the emerald Isle's future manpower and resources. Finally, after an enormous amount of wooing and convincing Tim and Maire recognize and understand the exigencies of the future and their role in helping to bring about a free and independent Ireland.
Notes:
West Kerry began with staged readings at the Provincetown theatre and then moved to the Beachcombers.
1st Produced:
Provincetown, Ma, The Beachcombers 2007
Organisations:
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1st Published:
Beag Moinear Press, 2008 978-0965046626
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Play
Parts:
Male: 4 Female: 1 Other: 5
Further Reference:
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