THE COUNTRY BOY

Big Telly kicks off its Twentieth Year with a production of The Country Boy by John Murphy, bringing together the company's contemporary approach to popular Irish Classics and its reputation for theatrical innovation and visual flair.

This bittersweet family drama focuses on two brothers, Eddie, living the American dream and Curly, stuck in the muck, working the family farm and fighting with his father. After fifteen years away, Eddie brings his wife back home to meet the folks and take Curly back with them, prompting a flurry of new curtains, posh napkins and panic about what they'll eat - she'll never have seen anything like the spuds and cabbage we have... At first it seems that the former country boy is now a high flyer in the land of opportunity, but layers reveal more layers and maybe the grass turns out to be not quite so green on the other side of the fence after all. This beautifully written and uplifting play perfectly captures the comedy and heart-break of family life, and has much to say to anyone who's ever thought about staying here, or going away, or coming back. Breathe in that country air - it'll do you good...

The Country Boy will be touring Ireland from 2nd February until 10th March 2007. Venues include:

Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Friday 2 & Saturday 3 February at 8pm Box Office Number: 028 6632 5440

St John's Theatre, Listowel, Tuesday 6 February at 8pm, Box Office Number: 068 225 66

Friar's Gate Theatre, Kilmallock, Thursday 8 February at 8pm, Box Office Number: 063 98727

Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, Friday 9 February at 8pm, Box Office Number: 041 983 3946

Mullingar Arts Centre, Saturday 10 February 8pm, Box Office Number: 044 93 47777

Clotworthy Arts Centre, Antrim, Monday 12 February 7.30pm, Box Office Number: 028 9448 1338

Garage Theatre, Monaghan, Tuesday 13 February at 8pm, Box Office Number: 047 81597

Market Place Theatre, Armagh, Wednesday 14 & Thursday 15 February at 8pm, Box Office Number: 028 3752 1821

Ramor Theatre, Virginia, Friday 16 & Saturday 17 February at 8.30pm, Box Office Number: 049 854 7074

Riverside Theatre, Coleraine, Tuesday 20 - Thursday 22 February at 8pm, Box Office Number: 028 7032 3232

Roscommon Arts Centre, Roscommon, Saturday 24 February at 8pm, Box Office Number: 090 662 5824

Baby Grand Studio, Belfast, Monday 26 February at 8pm, Tuesday 27 February at 11am & 8pm, Box Office Number: 028 9024 1919

Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre, Cookstown, Wednesday 28 February at 8pm, Box Office Number: 028 8676 9949

Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire, Thursday 1 - Saturday 3 March at 8pm, Box Office Number: 01 231 2929

Civic Theatre, Tallaght, Monday 5 - Saturday 10 March at 8pm, Box Office Number: 01 462 7477