Liam O'Flaherty's The Informer was written in the 20's and filmed in the 30's by John Ford and concerns the fate of Gypo Nolan who turns informer against his republican comrades. Set against the backdrop of the Irish rebellion and the revoutionary ferment of the earl 20's the play is both a thriller and a critique of the times. The play was premiered by the Elephant Theatre at the King's Head, Isington in Nov '94 and was directed by Syd Golder.

Press comments

"A neat little pot-boiler which attempts to examine the enigma of the Irish Spirit. The play transcends mere plot with a strong moral focus. An all-right production." What's On

"Captures the uncertain, shifting loyalties of those caught in the political and social upheavals of the time. A strong taster of the ambience of fear and mistrust that reigned then." Time Out Critic's Choice

Liam O'Flaherty was born in 1897 on the Aran Islands off the coast of Galway. Intending to enter the priesthood, he went to Roman Catholic schools at Rockwell and Blackrock and to the National University in Dublin. During the first world war he enlisted in the Irish Guards and fought in Begium, but ws invalided out in 1917. For the next few years he roamed the world working variously as dekhand, porter, clerk, labourer, lumberjack and miner. In the civil conflict of 1922 he fought for the Irish Republicans. His first novel, Thy Neighbours Wife appeared in 1924 and The Informer appeared in the following year. Apart from several other novels, he published many collections of short stories. He died in 1984.