Raglan Rogues

Performing in our Maureen O’Hara Studio:  Raglan Rogues By Kevin Burns/ Directed by Tracy Ryan/ Musical Direction by Kaeylea B.Van Keith.

This professional cast reading of Raglan Rogues brings two of Ireland’s most impactful literary figures of the 20th Century together artistically on stage for the first time. It’s a dramatic retelling  with music of how in 1950 the older and more established Patrick Kavanagh (Declan Gorman) takes an unknown writer, Brendan Behan (Josh Winters), under his wing and so begins a complex and ultimately doomed friendship.

Raglan Rogues, which also stars Sheila Moylette, was first performed at The Patrick Kavanagh Weekend in Inniskeen in 2024 and explores the pair’s fractious and doomed relationship as well as telling the story of Ireland’s most popular song, Raglan Road and featuring six other musical pieces, more than half of which were written by the central characters including Behan’s The Aul Triangle.

This original work by emerging playwright Kevin Burns is directed by Tracy Ryan (Strike!,Songs of They) with score and musical direction by Kaeylea B. Van Keith (Sisters).

“Raglan Rogues is a reading of a new play by Kevin Burns about the notorious relationship between Kavanagh and fellow writer Brendan Behan.  It’s a bit of craic”. Oliver Callan, Radio One.

Testimonials from the audience at Patrick Kavanagh Weekend 2024, Inniskeen:

“Excellent Acting, Love the music, humour and singing”.

“Great script”.

“Great acting, songs sung with passion, excellent musical accompaniment”

“Storyline brilliant, acting brilliant”.

“Good dialogue. Witty exchanges”.

“Loved it! Really brought the story to life”.

Running Time:  70 minutes with no interval.