Desire under the Elms in Dublin: The Corn Exchange production, directed by Annie Ryan

In an interview with director Annie Ryan, Thierry Dubost talks about Desire under the Elms, which was staged in Smock Alley Theatre during the 2013 Dublin Theatre Festival. Annie Ryan first retraces how Corn Exchange (her theater company) came to be one of the prominent Irish theater companies. She then alludes to the situation of theater in contemporary Ireland, and provides precious information about the presence of Eugene O’Neill’s work in this country, including the public reception of the play. Ryan initially mentions the influence of commedia dell’arte on the aesthetics of Corn Exchange; she then explains why she chose Desire under the Elms and how she approached O’Neill’s famous play. Although the financial context forced her to make restrictive choices, her staging proved successful.