A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

Chicken

Full-Length Play, Satire/Political Satire  /  1any gender (adult)

Eva O'Connor, Hildegard Ryan

Don Murphy is a proud Irish man, a hopeless ketamine addict and one of his generation’s greatest actors. He also happens to be a chicken. A Kerry cock to be precise. Across one fateful night, the feathered Oscar winner shares his star-studded story with an intimate audience – from getting his big break, to his first bird-on-bird sexual experience, to navigating life in the (human-dominated) celebrity spotlight. But along the way Don will be confronted with some harsh truths about himself, chickenkind and humankind.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1any gender (adult)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 2023 Lustrum Award

Details

Summary
Don Murphy is a proud Irish man, a hopeless ketamine addict and one of his generation’s greatest actors. He also happens to be a chicken. A Kerry cock to be precise. Across one fateful night, the feathered Oscar winner shares his star-studded story with an intimate audience – from getting his big break, to his first bird-on-bird sexual experience, to navigating life in the (human-dominated) celebrity spotlight. But along the way Don will be confronted with some harsh truths about himself, chickenkind and humankind.
History
Chicken premiered in Summerhall at the Edinburgh Fringe in August 2023.
DON THE CHICKEN
  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Cautions
    • Strong Language

Media

“Clucking clever stuff.” — The Stage

“A sharp, intelligent and unique adventure that critiques celebrity culture, identity and apathy, with heart and humour.” — British Theatre Guide

“Praise to O’Connor and Hildegard Ryan for conceiving such an off the charts masterpiece and serving us an hour of sheer joy.” — Everything Theatre

“The story is fantastical, bizarre and thoroughly entertains its audience from start to finish.” — West End Best Friend

Chicken is a rare gem, a fringe triumph that no words can quite do justice in describing, so cockle doodle-doo yourself a favour and see this show.” — Long Staff Reviews

“A masterful look at oppressive power structures from media hegemony to the global meat industry.” — The Skinny

“It is ridiculous and bizarre, just as Bouffon should be and brilliantly cultivated.” — Get the Chance

Licensing & Materials



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Scripts

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Authors

Eva O'Connor

Eva O'Connor is a writer and performer from Ogonnelloe Co. Clare. She trained at Rose Bruford drama school, and runs Sunday’s Child theatre company with Hildegard Ryan. Her work has been produced in Ireland, the UK, France, Belgium, Australia, and the US. She has won multiple ...
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Author

Hildegard Ryan

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