Cork Midsummer Festival Brochure

USA | THEATRE
Mike Daisey at the Half Moon Theatre
Mike Daisey has been called “the master storyteller” and “one of the finest solo performers
of his generation” for his groundbreaking monologues which weave together autobiography,
gonzo journalism, and unscripted performance to tell hilarious and heartbreaking stories
that cut to the bone, exposing secret histories and unexpected connections. He joins the
festival as artist in residence with three productions – Monopoly!, The Last Cargo Cult, and
developed specifically for Cork audiences over the duration of his stay, From Away, all three
directed by Jean-Michele Gregory.
From Away will also be presented at the Junction Festival, Clonmel and the Earagail Arts
Festival, Donegal.
MONOPOLY!
TESLA, EDISON, MICROSOFT, WAL•MART
AND THE WAR FOR TOMORROW
In this devastating monologue about monopoly and its
discontents, Mike Daisey explores the warped genius of
inventor Nikola Tesla and his war with Thomas Edison over
electricity—alternating current versus direct current—a
battle that etched itself into the streets of New York City
itself. This thread loops and whorls around Microsoft’s
historic antitrust lawsuit, the secret history of the board
game Monopoly, and ultimately the story of Daisey’s
hometown and its one remaining retailer: Wal-Mart. As
subversive as it is hilarious, Monopoly! illuminates the
issues we confront under corporate rule, and explores the
choices and struggles individuals face living in a system that
recognises only profit and loss.
“Relentlessly interesting . . . a brilliantly spun narrative.
His show is ultimately about the messy and often
unjust process of making official history. He fights
back the best way he knows how—by telling even better
stories.” NEW YORK TIMES
HALF MOON Theatre
Tuesday 15 – Thursday 17 June, 8pm
Friday 18 & Saturday 19 June, 6pm
Tickets €16/€12 concession
( POST SHOW TALK Thursday 17 June
Stan Barouh
14