Pumpgirl
Encyclopedia
Pumpgirl is an acclaimed play by Abbie Spallen, which is set in County Armagh
, Northern Ireland
. It was a co-winner of the 2006-2007 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize
for best play written in English by a woman.
Pumpgirl consists of interwoven monologues from three characters: the tomboyish Pumpgirl (worker at a rural gas station), the man she fancies, and his wife.
The play performed at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
from 3 to 27 August 2006, and at the Bush Theatre, London
from 12 September to 14 October 2006. Orla Fitzgerald
played Pumpgirl, James Doran played Hammy, and Maggie Hayes
played Sinéad, under the direction of Mike Bradwell.
In late 2007, Pumpgirl received its off-Broadway
premiere at Manhattan Theatre Club
.
Pumpgirl will receive its Irish
premiere in Belfast
, Queen's Drama Studio opening 3 September 2008 and touring throughout Ireland
from 20 September to 11 October. The production is a Lyric Theatre Company production, starring Maggie Hayes
as Sinéad, Stuart Graham
as Hammy and Samantha Heaney as Pumpgirl and directed by Andrew Flynn.
County Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It was a co-winner of the 2006-2007 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize
Susan Smith Blackburn Prize
The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize established in 1978, is for English-language women playwrights. Named for Susan Smith, alumna of Smith College, who died of breast cancer.-Winners:* 1978-79 Mary O'Malley* 1979-80 Barbara Schneider...
for best play written in English by a woman.
Pumpgirl consists of interwoven monologues from three characters: the tomboyish Pumpgirl (worker at a rural gas station), the man she fancies, and his wife.
The play performed at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
Traverse Theatre
The Traverse Theatre is a theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was founded in 1963.The Traverse Theatre commissions and develops new plays or adaptations from contemporary playwrights. It also presents a large number of productions from visiting companies from across the UK. These include new plays,...
from 3 to 27 August 2006, and at the Bush Theatre, London
Bush Theatre
The Bush Theatre is based in Shepherd's Bush, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. It was established in 1972 above The Bush public house by Brian McDermott, and has since become one of the most celebrated new writing theatres in the world. An intimate venue renowned for its close-up...
from 12 September to 14 October 2006. Orla Fitzgerald
Orla Fitzgerald
Orla Fitzgerald is an Irish actress.She received two nominations for Best Supporting Actress and Best Breakthrough Artist at the 4th annual Irish Film and Television Awards for her work in The Wind That Shakes the Barley.She was also nominated for Best Actress at the Stage Awards for the Edinburgh...
played Pumpgirl, James Doran played Hammy, and Maggie Hayes
Maggie Hayes
Maggie Hayes is an Irish actress, originally from Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland.-Selected filmography:* Christopher and His Kind* Nightclubbing* Cherrybomb* Rapunzel* Buy Borrow Steal* Seacht* Maru* Powers* Making Waves...
played Sinéad, under the direction of Mike Bradwell.
In late 2007, Pumpgirl received its off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
premiere at Manhattan Theatre Club
Manhattan Theatre Club
Manhattan Theatre Club is a theater company located in New York City. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, Manhattan Theatre Club has grown since its founding in 1970 from an Off-Off Broadway showcase into one of the country’s most acclaimed...
.
Pumpgirl will receive its Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
premiere in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Queen's Drama Studio opening 3 September 2008 and touring throughout Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
from 20 September to 11 October. The production is a Lyric Theatre Company production, starring Maggie Hayes
Maggie Hayes
Maggie Hayes is an Irish actress, originally from Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland.-Selected filmography:* Christopher and His Kind* Nightclubbing* Cherrybomb* Rapunzel* Buy Borrow Steal* Seacht* Maru* Powers* Making Waves...
as Sinéad, Stuart Graham
Stuart Graham
Stuart Graham was a British former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He was the son of the 1949 500cc world champion, Leslie Graham. His best season was in 1967 when he won two Grand Prix races and finished the year in third place in both the 50cc and the 125cc world championships.-References:*...
as Hammy and Samantha Heaney as Pumpgirl and directed by Andrew Flynn.