Gates of Gold
by Frank McGuinness
by Frank McGuinness
Gates of Gold is a passionate and moving play exploring the unique partnership between two artistic figures from Ireland, directed by Gavin McAlinden and featuring a distinguished cast including John Bennett and William Gaunt.
About The Play
About The Play
Time Out Critics’ Choice
Nicholas De Jongh Recommends – Evening Standard Critics Choice
★★★★★ Five Stars Best Theatre In London – Evening Standard
★★★★ Four Stars, What’s On In London
★★★★ Four Stars, The Sunday Express
This production subsequently transferred to the West End where it played at Trafalgar Studios 2 from 21 November – 16 December 2006
Gates of Gold explores the nature of love and a unique partnership between two men, one a great actor now approaching the end of his life, and the other an eminent director. A passionate, witty and moving play, inspired by the true story of two of Ireland’s greatest artistic figures – the founders of the Gate Theatre, Hilton Edwards and Mícheál MacLiammóir, it offers a fascinating glimpse of two lives devoted to each other and to the theatre they founded. Originally produced at the Gate Theatre, Dublin, in 2002, Frank McGuinness’ play now receives its British premiere at the Finborough Theatre, directed by exciting new Irish talent Gavin McAlinden.
The distinguished cast is John Bennett, William Gaunt, Kika Markham, Aoife McMahon and Alan Turkington. John Bennett’s many credits include Richard II and Coriolanus (Almeida Theatre), A Christmas Carol (RSC), Inner Voices (Royal National Theatre) and many West End musicals including On Your Toes, Marilyn, The Sound of Music and The King & I and his Olivier Award nominated performance as Louis Epstein in Jolson. Many TV and Film credits include The Pianist, The Fifth Element, Priest and Philip Bosinney in the original The Forsyte Saga; William Gaunt’s credits include Humble Boy, Albert Speer, The Cherry Orchard, Look Back In Anger, The Mysteries, An Inspector Calls (all Royal National Theatre), and extensive TV credits including Next Of Kin, The Champions, GBH and No Place Like Home; Josie Kidd whose TV credits include Life Begins, Down to Earth, Hot Money, Murder in Mind, Peak Practice, Viking in My Bed and Silent Witness and Family Affairs; Aoife McMahon who played Beauty in Beauty and the Beast (RSC), Scenes from the Picture (RNT) and the TV mini-series Random Passage; and Alan Turkington whose recent credits include John Bull’s Other Island (Tricycle), Pericles, The Tempest and The Winter’s Tale (RSC).
Gates of Gold was very sadly the last stage appearance of the late John Bennett.