Baile | Eolas | Déan Teagmháil Linn
1925 - 2011
Tomás Mac Anna (or Thomas F McCann) was born in Dundalk and as a young man became involved with amateur dramatics while also writing radio plays in English and Irish for Radio Éireann and the BBC. A fluent Irish speaker, he was offered the position of Gaelic Producer to the Abbey in 1947. He was appointed Artistic Director of the Abbey in 1966, and became a member of the Board of Directors in 1972. He was later appointed an Honorary Director of the Abbey. He directed plays in Europe, Canada and America where his production of 'Borstal Boy' in 1970 won both the Tony Award for best play, and the New York Critics Award. Work not listed here includes the satirical revue "A State of Chassis (Ian Paisley Is Unaisy And Living In Cabra)",which famously provoked a mini-riot led by writer and activist Eamon McCann when it was performed in 1970.
An adaptation of 'The Trial' by Franz Kafka.
Premiered 14 May 1903
Irish Playography, Irish Theatre Institute, 17 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 T +353 (0)1 670 4906 | E info@irishtheatreinstitute.ie W www.irishtheatreinstitute.ie (c) Irish Theatre Institute 2026