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McGuinness brings Garbo to
Buncrana 09.02.10
PLAYWRIGHT Frank
McGuinness is going back to his roots once more with
his latest work set in his hometown of Buncrana.
'Greta Garbo Came To Donegal' is based on the true
story of when the famous Hollywood actress visited
the county in the 1970s. She visited the wonderful
Glebe House in Churchill but stayed at Glenveagh
Castle.
Like many people who have taken a tour of Glebe
House, McGuinness was struck by the fascinating
history of its owner, the English painter Derek
Hill. The tour includes stories of Hill's many
illustrious guests over the years and how his
no-nonsense Donegal housekeeper and cook took it all
in her stride.
Where other visitors may marvel, Frank McGuinness,
went one further and was sufficiently inspired to
write a fictional account of Garbo's visit. |
However, he sets the
visit in 1967 and in his hometown of Buncrana rather
than Churchill or Glenveagh. 'Greta Garbo Came To
Donegal' opened to rave reviews last week at
London's Tricycle Theatre.
McGuinness told the Irish World newspaper in London:
"Historically, (Garbo) came over in the 70s, |
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but I moved the visit
to 1967, and I've changed all the details of where
she stays and everything. I just used the fact that
she came as the starting point of the play."
The plot of the play involves an impoverished
Catholic family who have been forced to sell their
Donegal home to a cold and patronising English
artist for whom they now work. It must be noted that
Derek Hill was nothing like the artist in McGuinness'
new play. As the Buncrana writer himself
acknowledges "(Hill) was an Englishman that did
everything for Ireland, one of those extraordinary,
cross-cultural people".
McGuinness has won many awards for his work. It is
not since his acclaimed 'Factory Girls', however,
that Buncrana features so overtly. One can only
hope his new play can be staged sometime in the
future in Donegal, if not the hometown itself. |
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