Empress of India is a black, dark comedy where the profane, the comic and the anguished combine to shattering effect - to ask uneasy questions about faith, belief and abandonment. This stunning new play introduces us to the world of Seamus Lamb, celebrated Irish Hollywood actor, who watched his wife die and, abandoned to grief, took no further part in the lives of Matty, Martin and Kate, their children. Martin's now a journalist in Dublin. Matty's in New York. Kate has headed for London. Seamus waits on the film role that will restore him to fame, but time has other ideas...

Directed by Garry Hynes, Empress of India is presented by arrangement with Galway Arts Festival - the play was originally commissioned by the Festival and Rose Parkinson - and this production featured Sean Mc Ginley in his first theatre appearance in more than five years. McGinley, a member of the founding Druid company of actors, joined the new Druid acting ensemble with actors of a new generation including Sarah-Jane Drummey, Aaron Monaghan, Tadhg Murphy, Catherine Walsh and also Sarah Greene.

With Empress of India, Stuart Carolan follows his first play, Defender of the Faith, which premiered at the Peacock, Dublin in 2004 and which was a joint winner of the George Devine Award in 2005.

Druid's appearance at the Abbey with Empress of India was the company's first visit to the venue since Druid's 1981 run at the Peacock with 'An Island Protected by A Bridge of Glass' (a play written and directed by Garry Hynes and the cast of which included Sean Mc Ginley).

Empress of India opened at Galway's Town Hall Theatre on Tuesday 12th September (previews from Friday 8th September, tickets from €15-€24 now on sale at the Town Hall Theatre 091 569777 and www.ticketlord.com) for a limited run before it moved to the Abbey Theatre for a two week run as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival (Dublin Theatre Festival Box Office Tel: 01 6778899 www.dublintheatrefestival.com.

Designed by Francis O'Connor, Costume Design by Kathy Strachan, Lighting Design by Davy Cunningham, Sound Design by John Leonard, Projection Design by Thomas Wollenberger, Original Music by Sam Jackson.

Town Hall Theatre, Galway
Tues 12th - Sat 23rd Sept 8pm
Previews Fri 8th, Sat 9th & Mon 11th Sept, Matinee Sat 23rd Sept 3 pm
Tickets €24/€18 concession, Matinee & Previews €15
From Town Hall Box Office 091 569777
Web:www.ticketlord.com

Dublin Theatre Festival (Abbey Theatre)
Wed 4th - Sat 14th Oct 7.30pm
Preview 3rd Oct. Matinee Saturday 7th & 14th Oct 2.30pm
Tickets €15-€35 from Dublin Theatre Festival Box Office Tel: 01 6778899
Web:www.dublintheatrefestival.com

This production is not suitable for children