One of Ireland’s best known stars of stage and screen, the internationally acclaimed actor Stephen Rea is set to make a very special appearance at this year’s Aspects Festival which is taking place, for the first time, in the beautiful surroundings of Bangor Abbey.
Stephen who is best known for his roles in box office smashes like The Crying Game and Interview With A Vampire will be narrating Flann O’Brien’s masterpiece, The Third Policeman. The show which is taking place on Saturday, 29thSeptember 2012 at 8.30pm (tickets £15) will feature specially arranged music by acclaimed composer Colin Reid and is a combination of murder mystery, comic satire and supernatural thriller guaranteed to delight and thrill the audience!
The last of Flann O’Brien’s novels to be published, The Third Policeman joins O’Brien’s other memorable works The Poor Mouth, The Dalkey Archive and A Hard Life to ensure his place along with Joyce and Beckett as one of Ireland’ comic geniuses.
Set in the atmospheric surrounds of The Abbey, Reid’s live music, Rea’s beguiling voice and O’Brien’s madcap pros will have the audience captivated from start to finish.
Commenting on the event, Stephen Douds, Festival Consultant said: “Bringing the Stephen Rea and Colin Reid collaboration of The Third Policeman to Bangor Abbey is, for me at least, the highlight of Aspects 2012. Having decided to use the historic Abbey as a venue it was really important to get the right music for the event. And this is it. Flann O’Brien’s original text is a comic masterpiece, read and enjoyed for decades. But when it is read by an actor as gifted as Stephen Rea the text is vivid, fresh and deeply hilariously, uncontrollably funny. Add to that the beauty of Colin Reid’s specially composed music and it makes for an evening that lingers long in the memory. Once you see this performance you will never look at a bicycle the same way again. I promise.”
The Third Policeman has been a sell-out at every venue it has previously visited so make sure to book your tickets now and don’t miss out on this fabulous opportunity to experience this darkly comic tale in the unique surroundings of Bangor Abbey.
This year’s Aspects line-up is packed with something for everyone. Highlights include; for the crime lover Colin Bateman’s Crime Night featuring Chris Brookmyre, sports fans will enjoy Kevin McCarra, poetry lovers will love Bernard MacLaverty, or if you’re just looking for a laugh Owen O’Neill is the show for you! For the full line-up, please download a programme from www.northdown.gov.uk
Tickets are available at www.northdown.gov.uk/bookings, from the festival Box Office at North Down Museum (028 9127 1200) and from Bangor Tourist Information Office (028 9127 0069).