Solas Nua, Washington, DC’s premier contemporary Irish arts organization, announces the VIP guests and programming for its upcoming landmark celebration of one of Ireland’s most visionary playwrights and screenwriters. The Enda Walsh Festival, which will be held June 20–21, 2025, features performances, screenings, and special programming honoring the extraordinary body of work by Tony Award-winning writer Enda Walsh.
VIP Live Conversation
In a rare and exclusive appearance, Ben Brantley, former chief theater critic of The New York Times, will join Enda Walsh on stage for a live interview. This headline event promises an intimate and revealing conversation between two leading voices of modern theater.
Special Screening: Small Things Like These
The festival will feature a special screening of the acclaimed film Small Things Like These, starring Academy Award winner Cillian Murphy and adapted by Enda Walsh. This marks Murphy’s first screen appearance following his Oscar-winning performance in Oppenheimer. Small Things Like These recently garnered three IFTA Awards, including Best Film, Best Script (Enda Walsh), and Best Actor (Cillian Murphy). Small Things Like These also stars Eileen Walsh, who originated the role of Runt in Disco Pigs. The film underscores Walsh’s ongoing collaborations with some of Ireland’s most celebrated talent. A post-screening discussion will follow.
Festival Highlights:
- The Small Things
Starring DC favorites Cody Nickell and Kate Eastwood Norris, directed by Shanara Gabrielle. This production offers a deeply personal look at human connection through Walsh’s unique lens.
- The New Electric Ballroom
Featuring five-time Helen Hayes Award winner Holly Twyford, the haunting and poetic piece The New Electric Ballroom is a highly anticipated centerpiece of the festival.
- Workshop Presentation with Jonathan Holmes
Actor Jonathan Holmes (Solas Nua’s The Honey Trap, Steven Spielberg’s The BFG, Anne with an E) joins the festival to workshop a brand-new concept being explored in collaboration with Enda Walsh.
This novel festival brings together world-class talent and honors the profound cultural impact of Walsh’s work across stage and screen. The Enda Walsh Festival will take place June 20 – 21, 2025 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, and will feature play readings, workshops, film screenings, and discussions with Walsh and other special guests. Walsh, one of Ireland’s most acclaimed playwrights, is returning to DC for the first time in years, marking a milestone event for the region. Solas Nua first introduced Walsh to DC audiences with Disco Pigs, which was their first production in 2005. Over the years, Solas Nua has produced seven Enda Walsh productions, marking the company as one of the most significant champions of Walsh’s plays in North America. Solas Nua produced the New York City premiere of Disco Pigs in 2008, which enjoyed sold-out audiences and critical acclaim.
For tickets and the full festival schedule, visit www.SolasNua.org.
About Solas Nua
Founded in 2005, Solas Nua is the premier organization dedicated to presenting and developing Irish theater in the United States. Its mission is to bring the best of contemporary Irish theater to the DC area and to support the careers of Irish and Irish-American artists. Through groundbreaking productions, commissions, and partnerships, Solas Nua has established itself as a vital player in the world of theater and continues to bring diverse voices and innovative works to US audiences.