Conor McPherson

Conor McPherson was born in Dublin in 1971 and is an Irish playwright and director.  He was educated at the University College Dublin, however, "he hated school and didn't impress his teachers."

"McPherson did well on his exams and went on to do a Masters in Philosophy and ended up teaching ethics for two years.  During his time there he began acting, writing, and directing for the theatre."  McPherson began writing his first plays at University College of Dublin, but they never received a professional production outside UCS.  A little later, however, he found Fly By Night Theatre Company whom produced many of his plays.  He is considered by many to be one of the best contemporary Irish playwrights.  He has gotten great reviews and has performed his plays internationally.  

In 2006, McPherson made his National Theatre debut as both an actor and director with The Seafarer at the Cottesloe getting nominated for both the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Play.  In 2007, McPherson came to Broadway as director, receiving rare reviews including statements like "McPherson is quite possibly the finest playwright of his generation."

Honors/Awards:

The Weir won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play for 1999.

Shinning City in 2006 and was nominated for two Tony Awards, including Best Play.

The Seafarer- nominated for both the Olivier and Evening Standards Awards for Best Play.

The Seafarer was also recognized for a Tony Award in 2008 for Best Featured Actor. 

Saltwater won the CICAE award for Best Film at the Berlin Film Festival.

List of Films:

I Went Down (1997) Writer

Endgame (2000) Director

The Actors (2003) Writer and Director

The Eclipse (2009) Writer and Director

List of Plays:

Rum and Vodka (1992)

The Good Thief (1994)

This Lime Tree Bower (1995)

St. Nicholas (1997)

The Weir (1997)

Dublin Carol (2000)

Port Authority (2001)

Come on Over (2001)

Shining City (2004)

The Seafarer (2006)

Sources:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3afa9gqKzo

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2006/05/10/theater/reviews/10shin.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conor_McPherson

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