Disco Pigs returns to Cork 30 years after debut

Disco Pigs, written by Enda Walsh, first hit the stage in Cork in 1996 and now it is back in its hometown on the stage at The Everyman theatre.

Three decades on from that ground-breaking production, Tony Award-winning playwright Enda Walsh has returned to Cork to direct a new production of his play for the very first time, marking the show's anniversary.

The play is notable in the history of Irish theatre as it launched the careers of the two leads, Cillian Murphy and Eileen Walsh, and Enda Walsh himself.

"The idea of doing a theatre show of an old piece and reconnecting with that just felt like the right thing to do," playwright Enda Walsh said about his decision to revive the piece.

Walsh explained that while the play has travelled to theatres across the world, this is his first time in the director's seat and that he has been hugely enjoying revisiting the show.

"Part of me was like, I wanted to be in Cork and to go back to that play and to look at yourself you know, as a younger man," he said.

The invitation to Enda Walsh was issued by Artistic Director of the Everyman Des Kennedy.

He explained that he had decided last year that "as Disco Pigs is one of the most iconic plays in the Irish canon, it would be a fantastic opportunity to revisit the show."

He said that they were all "thrilled" when Walsh accepted the invitation and then offered to direct himself for the first time.

"We're all pinching ourselves that Enda is here to do this - Enda has gone around the world, won Tony Awards, opera, film, arts and he says, 'yeah I'll come to Cork'."

The play tells the story of a pair of troubled friends, Pig and Runt.

While the roles were originated by Cillian Murphy and Eileen Walsh, 30 years later Enda Walsh is excited about his his new cast of Séamus McLean Ross and Aoise Meaney.

Describing the story, McLean Ross explained that the two central characters are "two symbiotic best friends who are born on the exact day, minutes apart", adding that "when we first met, we quickly found out that we shared a birthday in real life which was just amazing", he laughed.

It is Meaney's first professional role, and she said that "for my first professional job, I couldn't believe how safe and collaborative it's been here, with so many people that I'm working with who are the top of their careers. It's a dream!"

For Enda Walsh, is this a full circle moment?

He has enjoyed a busy and creative professional career since the show first debuted in 1996, writing the book for the musical 'Once' and co-writing Lazarus with David Bowie.

He co-wrote the screenplay for 'Hunger' (2008) with director Steve McQueen and collaborated with his old friends Cillian Murphy and Eileen Walsh in the recent screen version of 'Small Things Like These', based on the Clare Keegan story.

"For me it was a struggle in my 20s and it was difficult at the time, but Cork and the team at the Triskel (the venue in 1996) were always really kind to me as a younger writer and they really gave me the big break!" he said.

"This was another reason, so come back and to thank them with this production."

Disco Pigs runs at the Everyman until 14 November.