Ever heard of Gormlaith? That's not a monster in the Beowulf mold, or some ancient villain—Gormlaith was in fact the wife of one of the most famous men in Irish history, High King of Ireland Brian Boru, whose harp still graces Irish money. In The Last High Queen of Ireland, a musical directed by Linda McInerney and written by Talay Delaney, the music of Rosemary Caine provides the driving force for the story of Gormlaith. Balinese shadow puppets, video and dance help complete the picture of Ireland in the Middle Ages.
It's all in service of returning Gormlaith to the history books. As the press release puts it: "Gormlaith, [who was] an equally intriguing and powerful figure, has disappeared from historical narrative altogether. Hers is a fierce and dark tale in which issues of gender, power, political transformation, and memory merge."
The play stars Stephanie Carlson as Gormlaith, Thom Griffin as Brian Boru, and Maureen McElligott as the sorceress Aval.
July 9-12, 16-19, $20/students and seniors, $25/general, 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., and Sundays at 2 p.m., Reid Theatre, Deerfield Academy, Deerfield, (413) 559-7678 or cabotix.com.
