Moby Dick production twins Youghal with American town

An Irish production of 'Moby Dick' has brought Youghal and a town in America into a sister-city programme. New Bedford, Massachusetts will be twinned with the East Cork town after a visit by the Gare St Lazare Players, who are currently touring the US.

At a reception in New Bedford, Mayor Scott Lang of New Bedford invited Youghal to become a sister city with his own. During a week of Moby Dick related events inspired by the Cork theatre company’s visit, former Lord Mayor of Youghal, Oliver Casey was the guest of honour as the two fishing-port communities shared their Moby Dick heritage.

Youghal served as the location for the Massachusetts whaling capital during John Huston’s 1954 filming of 'Moby Dick'. Gare St Lazare chose to mark the link by premiering their stage production there in 2009. 

Now, during a 10 city tour of the USA they have hailed their visit to New Bedford as a highlight. "The twinning of the two towns is a perfect legacy not only of our production but also of Imagine Ireland," said actor Conor Lovett who performs in the show. "Imagine Ireland is a seed which will ultimately be judged by the fruit it bears."

Gare St Lazare Players already premiered their newest work this year at the Kilkenny Arts Festival, written especially for the company by New York playwright Will Eno. The play, 'Title and Deed', will receive its US premiere at The Signature Theater on 42nd Street in May 2012. 

"We are thrilled that a major American playwright has written a new work for an Irish company," said director Judy Hegarty Lovett. "This and the New Bedford/Youghal connection are a great start to the legacy of Imagine Ireland."

'Moby Dick' continues to tour this week in Boston and next week in New London, Connecticut and then on to Burlington and St Johnsbury, Vermont with Gare St Lazare having performed at more US venues in 2011 than any other Irish theatre company.