JAMES X
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Contact: Richard Kornberg & Associates
(212) 944-9444
Richard Kornberg / richard@kornbergpr.com
THE US
PREMIERE OF
JAMES X
PRESENTED
BY
GABRIEL
BYRNE, LIAM NEESON, AND CULTURE PROJECT
WRITTEN
AND PERFORMED BY GERARD MANNIX FLYNN
DIRECTED
BY GABRIEL BYRNE
BEGINS
PERFORMANCES TONIGHT, TUESDAY DEC. 6
AT 45
BLEECKER STREET
OPENING
NIGHT IS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9
PERFORMANCE
ACCOMPANIED BY IMPACT, AN EXHIBIT OF FLYNN'S WORK
RELATED TO CHILD ABUSE IN IRELAND'S INSTITUTIONS.
"We are very proud to be
presenting James X, a story of hope and survival, at Culture Project.
It details the appalling collusion of state and church over decades
in the abuse of defenceless children. As a piece of theatre, it is a
powerful, visceral, and a unique testament; it speaks for all
those whose voices went unheard for so long."
- Gabriel Byrne and
Liam Neeson
Gerard Mannix Flynn’s James X is
a searing indictment of neglect; both of the individual and of the
institutions whose responsibility is to protect and inspire its
citizens. Directed by Gabriel Byrne, James X begins performances tonight, Tuesday December 6 at 7:30pm and opens
on Friday, December 9th at 45 Bleecker Street. Produced by Gabriel
Byrne, Liam Neeson and Culture Project, James X, a
Farcry Production, features Gerard Mannix Flynn, who also starred in
the production when it premiered in Dublin.
Accompanying the performance on display in the
theatre's lobby is IMPACT, an exhibition of Gerard Mannix
Flynn's work related to child abuse in Ireland's institutions.
Flynn's moving exhibit takes viewers through James X's journey
starting from age 6 to present day. James X and this exhibit are
each a part of Imagine Ireland, Culture Ireland's year long
initiative of Irish art in the United States.
“I cannot recount a time when a critic decided
that seeing a play was ‘a necessity of life’” said
Culture Project’s Allan Buchman, but that is exactly what Finton
O’Toole suggested in the Irish Times regarding James X.
An Irish government tribunal of inquiry into the institutions
responsible for the cruel and inhumane treatment of children is in
session. In the foyer, James X, one of those children, now a
man, anxiously prepares to offer the testimony which he hopes will
unshackle him from the past. As he waits, James is confronted
with the fact that the tribunal he is about to go before is part of
the very same system what made prisoners of children like
him. Sighting this truth prompts him to tell the story
which will really, finally, set him free.
In the last decade, the Catholic Church and State
institutions in Ireland and throughout the world have been in the
center of an emerging secret history. This history involves the
sexual abuse and torment of tens of thousands of vulnerable
children. This is the human story of one of those children who
is trying to emerge from a place of darkness into the light.
Gerard Mannix Flynn, born in Dublin in 1957, has
carved out a multi-faceted artistic career as a writer, actor,
playwright, politician, political activist, and visual artist and in
2009 he was elected an independent councilor for the South East Inner
City area in Dublin. His experience in Irish institutions,
including an 18 month stint in St Joseph‘s Industrial School, where
he was sent at age 11, has informed much of his work, including the
autobiographical novel, Nothing to Say, in 1983 and James
X. He is currently elected as the New Independent Dublin City
Councillor. He has written extensively for various newspapers,
magazines and periodicals and is a well-known contemporary
commentator and artist.
Gabriel Byrne is best known as an actor,
having starred in over 35 feature films including The Usual
Suspects. His producing credits include the Academy Award
nominated In The Name of the Father. He was nominated
for a Tony Award for his portrayal of James Tyrone in A Moon for
the Misbegotten and he appeared with the Culture Project in The
Exonerated. More recently he was heralded for his
performance as Dr. Paul Weston in the HBO drama, “In Treatment.”
Culture Project is dedicated to addressing
critical human rights issues by creating and supporting artistic work
that amplifies marginalized voices. Founded by Allan Buchman in 1996,
Culture Project has premiered celebrated shows including The
Exonerated, Sarah Jones’ Bridge & Tunnel, Guantanamo:
Honor Bound to Defend Freedom, Lawrence Wright’s My
Trip To Al-Qaeda, Tings Dey Happen, the Lucille
Lortel Award-winning world premiere of George Packer’s Betrayed and
Temple University’s acclaimed production of In Conflict.
Culture Project also produced Breaking the Silence, Beating
the Drum, a groundbreaking concert at the United Nations to
commemorate the abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave
Trade. Most recently, Cultur e Project presented its
month-long Women Center Stage Festival at The Living Theatre
and MoLoRa at the Ailey Citigroup Theater. For
further information, please visit CultureProject.org.
Imagine Ireland, Culture Ireland’s year of
Irish arts in America, will see over 1,200 artists present more
than 500 events across 45 states, during 2011. The program is a
celebration of the Irish imagination, presenting renowned
artists and ensembles alongside some of our most exciting
emerging voices. Irish and American artists share a
strong cultural connection, going back many centuries.
The Fall/Winter program of Imagine Ireland is full of
highlights and special events, across theatre, visual arts,
music, film, literature and dance. Full details are available at www.
imagineireland.ie
James X plays Monday through
Saturday at 7:30pm, with matinees on Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at
2pm at 45 Bleecker Street. General admission tickets are $40. a
limited number of student rush tickets will be available for $15 with
valid student ID. For tickets and information, visit cultureproject.org or phone 866-811-4111. Running
time is approximately 75 minutes with no intermission.
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