My Scandalous Life at the Irish Rep

The Irish Repertory Theatre continues its 23rd Season with the world premiere of My Scandalous Life by Irish playwright and novelist Thomas Kilroy (author of the award-winning novel "The Big Chapel"), opening at the Irish Repertory's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre on 6 Feb 2011, following previews from 2 Feb, and running through to 6 Mar 2011.

Set in 1944 in the middle of the Second World War, My Scandalous Life tells the story of Lord Alfred Douglas, Oscar Wilde's beloved Bosie, who, overcome with memories of the notorious love affair that rocked England, struggles to examine the mysteries of his own identity. Forever linked to Wilde... the scandal... the violent trials which led too Wilde's imprisonment... the guilt... and the subsequent half-century he lived after Wilde, who died alone in Paris in 1900, Bosie searches for the very personal meaning of a life forever the subject of endless conjecture.

As his wife Olive lies dying upstairs, Lord Douglas displays unexpected depths of feelings, as he copes with his marriage, his memories of Oscar, and the tragic fate of his only son.

Directed by John Going My Scandalous Life stars Des Keogh as 'Lord Alfred Douglas,' with Fiana Tiobin as 'Eileen,' an Irish maid.

The production has set design by Charlie Corcoran; costume design by David Toser; lighting design by Michael O'Connor; and sound design by Zach Williamson. Michael Palmer is Production Stage Manager.

Des Keogh previously appeared at the Irish Repertory Theatre in 'Confessions of an Irish Republican,' 'Mr. Dooley's America,' 'The Matchmaker' and 'The Love-Hungry Farmer,', which he also adapted from a work by playwright John B. Keane. In 2010, he portrayed the title role in Hugh Leonard's 'DA' at the Olney Theatre in Maryland. In addition to work with major Irish and London theatre companies, he has appeared in such films as "Ryan's Daughter," "Ulysses," and "Flight of the Doves" and, for nearly 35 years, hosted the weekly RTA radio program "Music for Middlebrows."

Director John Going helmed the Broadway production of 'Hizzoner!' Other New York credits include Off-Broadway productions of 'A Breeze from the Gulf,' 'Lola' and 'One Step at a Time.' He has directed regionally and internationally at venues including Seattle Repertory, Hartford Stage, Paper Mill Playhouse and Washington's Studio Theatre, among others. A four-time Helen Hayes Award nominee, Going won the Outstanding Director Award for 'The Miser' at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Thomas Kilroy's plays include 'The Death and Ressurection of Mr Roche,' 'Sex and Shakespeare,', Double Cross,' The Madman Macadam Travelling Theatre' and 'The Secret Fall of Constance Wilde,' and 'Christ Deliver Us!,' which premiered at Dublin's Abbey Theatre in early 2010.