Engagements Abroad
The end of the 9 month run of "Allegro" marked a five-year-long period of heavy activity on Broadway for Battles and at this point he took a break from performing on its stages to pursue acting opportunities abroad. Battles turned down several Broadway offers in 1948 and accepted instead a contract for the 1948 season from the Gate Theatre of Dublin, Ireland.
The Gate Theatre was formed in Dublin in 1928 by the Irish actors and theatrical producing team of Hilton Edwards and Michael MacLiammoir, also a playwright. The Gate, which gave Orson Welles and James Mason their professional acting debuts in 1931 and 1935, respectively, celebrated 80 years of continuous theatrical production in 2008.
Before his departure for Ireland Battles spoke with Louis Calta of the New York Times. Battles called the Gate one of the finest repertory companies in the world and expressed his regard for Edwards and MacLiammoir as great teachers.
Read more about this topic: John Battles
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