Set in the mountains of Connemara, County Galway, The Beauty Queen of Leenane tells the darkly comic tale of Maureen Folan, a plain, lonely woman in her early forties, and Mag, her manipulative, ageing mother. When Mag interferes in Maureen’s first and possibly final chance of a loving relationship, a train of events is set in motion that leads inexorably towards the play’s terrifying finale.

Martin McDonagh’s multi award-winning play is a gripping blend of dark comedy, melodrama, horror and tragedy.

The Beauty Queen of Leenane was first presented in January 1996 as a Druid Theatre/Royal Court Theatre co-production. The play won the George Devine Award, the Writer’s Guild Award, the Critic’s Circle Award and Martin McDonagh received the Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright. The production transferred to New York, opening on Broadway in April 1998, and was nominated for six Tony Awards.

The production will open at the Trinity Theatre, Gainsborough on 9 September 2009, before embarking on a 12 week national tour. Venues include; Oldham Coliseum, Theatre Royal Winchester, Coventry Belgrade Theatre, and Gala Theatre Durham.