Special benefit performance of The Weir announced in honour of Seán Rocks and St. Francis Hospice

A special benefit performance of Conor McPherson's The Weir, starring Brendan Gleeson, is set to take place at Dublin's 3Olympia Theatre next Wednesday, September 3, in honour of the late actor and broadcaster Seán Rocks, and Dublin's St Francis Hospice.

Gleeson is a noted supporter of St Francis Hospice, where his own parents were cared for. All proceeds from the performance – which takes place at 2.30pm – will be shared between the hospice and the family of Seán Rocks, who died last month, aged 63, following a brief illness.

In addition to his radio work – including presenting RTÉ's flagship arts and culture programme, Arena, from its inception in 2009 – Rocks acted for many years, appearing in productions at the Abbey, Peacock and Gate theatres. He also had TV and film roles in the likes of The Bill, Glenroe, Fair City, Dear Sarah and Go Now.

Tickets are priced at €100/€80/€70, and go on sale tomorrow, August 26, at 10am from Ticketmaster.

The entire run of The Weir at the 3Olympia Theatre (August 8 to September 6) is currently sold-out, with no further performances to be added.

The Weir marks Gleeson's long-awaited return to the Irish stage, ahead of his West End debut – with the production heading to The Harold Pinter in London from September 12 to December 6.

“I can hardly believe it’s thirty years since I wrote The Weir – and about thirty years since I first met the wonderful Brendan Gleeson," said Conor McPherson, when the current production was announced. "It’s an absolute honour to bring this play to life again with one of the great titans of Irish acting.”

The play also stars Owen McDonnell, Seán McGinley, Kate Phillips and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor.

 

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