God's Gift

Written by John Banville & directed by Veronica Coburn

Cast: Lynn Cahill, Raymond Keane, Louis Lovett, Paul Meade, Mikel Murfi and Mary O'Driscoll

Production Designer: Feargal Doyle

Lighting Designer: Mark Galione

Costume Designer: Kathy Kavanagh

October 2000: Premiered at O'Reilly Theatre, Belvedere College, Dublin in association with the eircom Dublin Theatre Festival

Wales: Theatr Gwynedd, Bangor; Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth; Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea

Ireland: Siamsa Tire, Tralee; Regal Theatre, Clonmel; Civic Theatre, Tallaght; Everyman Palace Theatre, Cork; Town Hall Theatre, Galway; Backstage Theatre, Longford; Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny

John Banville, one of Ireland's literary giants (The Untouchable, Book of Evidence), wrote this new version of 'Amphitryon' inspired by Heinrich Von Kleist's original, specifically for Barabbas. Transposed to Wexford and played against the backdrop of the 1798 Rebellion, and featuring the use of miniatures, God's Gift is a romantic comedy that blends the literature of John Banville with the visual aesthetic of Barabbas.

"simple, appealing, moving and intensely dramatic in a beautifully balanced production, full of wit and emotional tension, Dramatic pace, fluent acting, magical character-appeal and the lightest of touches give a night of memorable theatre"
Irish Independent

"an explosively funny and wistfully wise romantic comedy. This is utterly joyous theatre"
Sunday Independent

"fabulously frothy: a work which is beautifully lit, cleverly written, magically staged and well played"
RTE Guide