Not Now

Matthew, I don’t give a f*** who’s Irish and who’s not. I’m just thinking about what’s best for your career. And that’s how themmuns in London’ll see you. Calling yourself British just embarrasses them.

The morning after his father’s funeral, an unsure and still grief-stricken Matthew prepares to fly to London to audition for the prestigious drama school, RADA.

When his painter-decorator Uncle Ray interrupts his private rendition of Richard III’s opening monologue to offer some unwanted direction and dubious career advice, Matthew starts to doubt whether he should really be leaving Belfast in the first place.

First presented by A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Òran Mór in May 2022. Not Now received its English premiere at the Finborough Theatre, London, in November 2022.

Playwright David Ireland is the multi award-winning author of Cyprus Avenue.