The Druid Theatre Company have been invited to stage Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy The Cripple of Inishmaan at The Oxford Playhouse for the first of what will become a series of regular visits by this talented company. Founded in Galway in 1975, the Druid was the first professional theatre company to be established in Ireland outside Dublin. Now known for its groundbreaking productions of both classic and new dramatic works, this company is now highly regarded all over the world.

Recent international tours have taken this talented group to London, Edinburgh, Sydney, Perth, Washington DC, New York and Tokyo.

The Cripple of Inishmaan is a moving story that links with the real-life filming of the documentary Man of Aran.

Set in 1934, in the small Aran Island community of Inishmaan, off the western coast of Ireland, it follows the dreams of 18-year-old ‘Cripple’ Billy Claven, a disabled orphan who spends his day staring at the cows and pining for the romantic attention of a girl who wants nothing to do with him.

He is eager to escape the poverty and boredom of Inishmaan, so to everyone’s surprise he vies for a part in the documentary and actually gets it.

This play is both poignant and witty; it offers moments when you want to laugh and others which bring a lump to the throat.

The Playhouse is delighted to have established this link with Druid and are confident this newly established partnership will grow and develop over the years.

Directed by the Tony Award-winning director Garry Hynes, The Cripple of Inishmaan is at the Oxford Playhouse from next Tuesday to Saturday. Tickets can be booked by phoning the box office on 01865 305305, or by going to