The Beauty Queen of Leenane

In true Martin McDonagh style, The Beauty Queen of Leenane is a wild blend of outrageous comedy thriller, horrifying violence and grand melodrama. Following on from Curve’s previous hit production of McDonagh’s The Pillowman and The Lieutenant of Inishmore, both directed by Paul Kerryson, this hysterically comedic, edge-of-your-seat play charts the life of Maureen Folan, a 40 year old virgin, her relationship with her manipulative mother, and her brush with romance in the mountains of County Galway, Ireland.

When Pato, a middle-aged local man returns from working in England, Maureen’s last chance for love is offered. However, as their relationship flourishes a shocking and disturbing train of events is set in motion…

The Beauty Queen of Leenane rocketed Martin McDonagh to fame when it opened in the West End in 1996 winning a nomination for Best Play at the Olivier Awards, with the subsequent Broadway production winning four Tony Awards. Since then McDonagh has been as well known for his movies as for his plays with In Bruges earning him an Oscar nomination and Seven Psychopaths garnering critical acclaim in 2012.

Directed by Artistic Director Paul Kerryson, this is the third McDonagh play to be produced at curve following the critically acclaimed The Pillowman in 2009 and The Lieutenant of Inishmore in 2010.