Love. Revenge. The art of Trolling. REDPILL, a new play by Irish-American Theatremaker Liam Hallahan, gets its world premiere in Dublin this July.
REDPILL is the darkly comic story of a young man’s descent into the black heart of the internet as heartbroken and betrayed by his closest friend, college freshman Ben discovers a vast conspiracy that threatens his very being. Shortlisted for Inspiration Award and Outstanding Performance Award in Prague Fringe 2017, the play explores the birth of an internet troll. Author Liam Hallahan tells us more:
“I started writing this piece back in 2014, in response to the undercurrent of misogyny and misanthropy I was seeing in places like Reddit and 4chan. I wasn’t sure how relevant it would be to the wider public, as these attitudes online didn’t seem to have much effect in the real world. Then Leslie Jones got harassed off of Twitter, Trump got elected, and the Alt-Right rose up. I want to explore why people, particularly young socially awkward men, get drawn to this dark place; no one just wakes up one day and thinks to themselves, ‘You know what? I’m going to threaten someone with sexual or physical assault online to drive them off the internet’. It’s a learned behavior, an extreme reaction to a world that they feel is oppressing them.
“I hope this play will give a possible insight and understanding into why internet trolls do what they do, without resorting to simple answers or stereotypes, and start a real conversation about the root causes of misogyny in our lives, online and off.”
Performed by the author, directed by Paul Doran, and presented under the mantle of Some Yank’s Theatre Company the design team includes Áine O’Hara (Mimes in Time) Suzie Cummins (Harder, Faster, More) and Fionn Foley (Eamon From Menswear). Hannah-Lucy Joyce is the producer and publicist.
Developed with support from Makeshift Ensemble, Smock Alley Theatre and Dublin Fringe Festival, REDPILL is fresh off a work in progress performance at the Prague Fringe Festival, where it was shortlisted for two awards (Inspiration Award and Performance Award).
The world premiere of REDPILL takes place from 14-29 July, at Theatre Upstairs, Eden Quay, Dublin.
Previews 14th, 15th, 17th July @ 7pm
Opening 18th July @ 7pm
Runs from 18th July – 29th July @ 7pm nightly (1pm matinee Wednesday and Saturday) Ticket Prices – €12/€10
Dinner + A Show – €18/€16
Theatre Upstairs, Lanigan’s Pub, Eden Quay, Dublin 1
Info/Bookings at www.theatreupstairs.ie or +353(0)85 772 7375
Theatre Upstairs is a home for new plays and a nationally renowned company dedicated to the support of rising talent. They seek out exciting new voices, the best new plays and the artistry of both established and emerging companies throughout Ireland. Since its inception, Theatre Upstairs has housed and produced several groundbreaking premieres, which have gone on to tour nationally as well as transfer to other theatres, earning its reputation as Dublin’s theatrical seedbed.
In February 2013 Artistic Director, Karl Shiels won the Judges’ Special Award at the Irish Times Theatre Awards for his work with Theatre Upstairs, for the development and promotion of new talent in Irish Theatre.
