The Birds

Written By Conor McPherson
Directed By Leslie Plaia

October 20- Novemner 5, 2016
Thursday-Saturday Nights at 8pm

Performed at 5th Avenue Antiques

Daphne du Maurier’s short story, also the basis for Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film, is boldly adapted by Conor McPherson—a gripping, unsettling, and moving look at human relationships in the face of societal collapse. In an isolated house, strangers Nat and Diane take shelter from relentless masses of attacking birds. They find relative sanctuary but not comfort or peace; there’s no electricity, little food, and a nearby neighbor may still be alive and watching them. Another refugee, the young and attractive Julia, arrives with some news of the outside world, but her presence also brings discord. Their survival becomes even more doubtful when paranoia takes hold of the makeshift fortress—an internal threat to match that of the birds outside.

Featuring: Annalisa Keuler, Stephen Mangina, Bliss Bailey, and Jack Heidt

Conor McPherson was born in Dublin in 1971. He attended the University College in Dublin, where he began to write and direct. His plays include RUM & VODKA, THE GOOD THIEF, THIS LIME TREE BOWER, ST. NICHOLAS, THE WEIR (Olivier Award, Best Play), DUBLIN CAROL, PORT AUTHORITY, SHINING CITY (Tony Award nomination, Best Play), and THE SEAFARER. Film work includes “I Went Down,” “Saltwater,” Samuel Beckett’s “Endgame,” and “The Actors.” Other awards include the George Devine Award; Critics’ Circle Award; Evening Standard Award; Meyer Whitworth Award; Stewart Parker Award; two Irish Film & Television Academy Best Screenplay Awards; CICAE Best Film Award, Berlin Film Festival (“Saltwater”); Best Film and Best Screenplay Awards, San Sebastian Film Festival (“I Went Down”).