Irish Rep Season Ends With a Bang

Retiring from the British consular service in 1912, he became involved in Ireland's struggle for independence and was rewarded for his efforts in very typical colonial fashion by being disgraced and then hanged for high treason August 3, 1916.

O'Reilly, who's directing the show, said, "It's a play based on the trials of Roger Casement, as seen throw the jury. The cast of eight plays over 49 characters including the defense and the prosecution. I thought I knew Casement's story but I realize now I knew nothing. He lived the most exciting and complex life."

Like many people in Ireland, thanks to the conservative nature of our school system, O'Reilly had heard in a vague way that Casement's name had been sullied by his trial, but he was quite unaware that the Irish patriot had been gay.

"I have leaned about the extent of his involvement, how central he was to the fight for Irish independence. In his early years he had excelled beyond anything that had been expected of him," says O'Reilly.

"He was sent to the Congo to be British colonial officer, send reports on activities, and keep an eye on things. He went far beyond that. He sent extraordinary reports back, often taking his life into his own hands in the process. He would take his life into his own hands, and he'd write about what he saw. That was a brave man."

In Prisoner of the Crown Casement finds himself in a familiar dramatic setting for so many Irish patriots - giving a speech from the dock. Just as they had with the famous Irish dramatist Oscar Wilde, the British establishment had become adept at playing to popular prejudice to rid themselves of their most eloquent critics.

Casement was sentenced to be hanged, just a few short years after being knighted, for treason in what was called the trial of the century. All he had accomplished for both the Empire and the fledgling Irish Republic had been forgotten; being gay, he had no legacy and no country.

Prisoner of the Crown is now playing at the Irish Repertory Theatre, 132 West 22nd Street. For tickets call 212-727-2737. For tickets to the 20th anniversary celebration call 212-213-1166.

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Nster.com