James Joyce’s masterpiece, ‘The Dead’, is set on the Feast of the Epiphany, the perfect occasion for disclosure, discovery and revelation. The Dead, 1904 is the text of Paul Muldoon’s and Jean Hanff Korelitz’s immersive, site-specific play. Through its omissions and concentrations it offers new points of entry to an epic of Ireland’s pasts and the heart’s perennial struggles.
In this immersive production audience members will themselves attend the Morkan sisters’ annual party, move from room to room with the actors, listen to the music, watch the dances, share food and drink with the characters. Wine, spirits and a Victorian meal (inspired by the dinner in Joyce’s story and created by Great Performances catering) are an intrinsic part of the adaptation.
The Dead, 1904 was first produced by Dot Dot Productions LLC (Nina Korelitz Matza and Jean Hanff Korelitz), Laurie Eustis and Kathleen Begala in association with The American Irish Historical Society for The Irish Repertory Theatre and was presented at The American Irish Historical Society in New York City in 2017.
“‘The Dead’ is the greatest story ever written. It presents a complete world in a very few deft strokes.” — Paul Muldoon
