The Sunshine Boys

The story of “The Sunshine Boys” follows the attempt by a young theatrical agent (Damien Quinn) to re-unite his elderly uncle (Robert Fitzpatrick), a former vaudevillian great, with his long term stage partner (Gerry Ryan) for a one-off TV appearance. Their comic genius is widely acknowledged, their reputation legendary. There’s only one problem – the pair have fallen out and have not spoken in twelve years. But before they return to the public eye, they have many issues to resolve.

“The Sunshine Boys” is recognised as one of the great comedy plays of modern times. It was first produced in 1972 with Jack Albertson and Sam Levine and was later made into a successful movie in 1975, revitalising the screen career of George Burns. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards including Walter Matthau for a Best Actor award as Willie Clarke, with Burns taking home the statue for Best Supporting Actor as Al Lewis. The play is loaded with in-jokes and steeped in a sense of nostalgia which underscores the action. While at once an homage to the history of comic theatre and a tribute to the performers who make it so memorable, on a deeper level the play also explores Simon’s themes of friendship, family and old age.

The play is from the prolific pen of American playwright Neil Simon. Simon grew up in the Bronx in New York City. As early as 1948 he was writing scripts together with his brother Danny for radio and television. His sketches for Phil Silvers, Gary Moore, Jerry Lewis etc. contributed to his wide acclaim. He and his brother separated and Neil began writing for the New York theatre scene. He has had dozens of plays and nearly as many major motion pictures produced. He has been showered with more Academy and Tony nominations than any other writer, and is the only playwright to have four Broadway productions running simultaneously. His plays have been produced in dozens of languages. His plays include The Odd Couple, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Lost in Yonkers, Plaza Suite and Last of the Red Hot Lovers. He also wrote the screenplay adaptations for many of his own plays.

Sligo Drama Circle continues its celebrations of fifty years of drama in Sligo by performing “The Sunshine Boys” in the Hawk’s Well Theatre from Tuesday 21st November to Saturday 25th November at 8pm. Tickets €15/€12 available from the Hawk’s Well Box Office at 916 1526 / 916 1518. More information on the Drama Circle is available at www.sligodramacircle.ie