Inis Nua Theatre Company is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a grant of $204,500 from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage to support our groundbreaking project: a contemporary adaptation of Playboy of the Western World. The grant includes both project funding and an additional 20% in unrestricted, general operating support, and marks a significant milestone in our journey to bring compelling, thought-provoking theater to our community.

Under the direction of our Artistic Director, Kathryn MacMillan, Inis Nua is excited to bring this scathing satire about Irish identity and patriarchy to Philadelphia.  This contemporary adaptation is the result of a unique international collaboration between popular Irish writer Roddy Doyle (The Commitments) and Nigerian playwright Bisi Adigun–adhering closely to the spirit of JM Synge’s groundbreaking classic, this adaptation hums with contemporary tensions about migration, cultural assimilation and celebrity culture, all set against the backdrop of modern-day Dublin.

The production promises a unique and immersive experience, with a hyper-realistic set that transports audiences into the heart of a Dublin pub. As the story unfolds, this comedy that challenges convention—funny until it suddenly isn’t—confronts audiences with the dangerous consequences of celebrity worship, stereotypes, and racial biases, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Inis Nua's mission has always been to bring forward contemporary, provocative plays that reflect the evolving cultures of Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales. Our adaptation of Playboy of the Western World serves as a mirror to our own city of Philadelphia, resonating with issues such as economic disparities, changing communities, class and racial tensions, and gentrification.

This grant not only supports our artistic endeavors but also strengthens our commitment to fostering cultural diversity and promoting dialogue on vital social issues. We look forward to sharing this exciting journey with our dedicated patrons and supporters.

Stay tuned for updates on this extraordinary production, which promises to be a highlight of our upcoming season.

For more information about the Center’s 2023 grant recipients, visit pewcenterarts.org/2023grants

ABOUT THE PEW CENTER FOR ARTS & HERITAGE

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage is a multidisciplinary grantmaker and hub for knowledge-sharing, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, dedicated to fostering a vibrant cultural community in Greater Philadelphia. The Center invests in ambitious, imaginative, and catalytic work that showcases the region’s cultural vitality and enhances public life, and engages in an exchange of ideas concerning artistic and interpretive practice with a broad network of cultural practitioners and leaders.