Tomás Mac Anna (born Thomas Francis McCann; 5 March 1924 â€" 17 May
2011) was an Irish theatre director and playwright. He was nominated
for the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play in 1970 for Borstal
Boy.[1][2]Born in Dundalk, he was educated at the College of Art in
Dublin, worked as a customs officer 1945â€"47, and then at the Abbey
Theatre as a producer of Irish language plays, subsequently becoming
Artistic Adviser to the Board in 1966, then Artistic Director
1972â€"79 and 1984â€"85. His work as an innovative stage director was
crucial in modernizing the Abbey style after its re-opening in 1966.
He directed Borstal Boy, which after its transfer to New York, won the
Tony Award for Best Play and earned him a nomination for Best
Direction of a Play at the 24th Tony Awards in 1970.[1]He co-wrote the
Irish pantomimes for years. Amongst his original plays are Winter
Wedding (1956), Dear Edward (1973), Scéal Scéalaà (1977), and
Glittering Spears (1983), a drama-documentary on O'Casey's The Silver
Tassie.He died in Bray, County Wicklow, aged 84[1]
2011) was an Irish theatre director and playwright. He was nominated
for the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play in 1970 for Borstal
Boy.[1][2]Born in Dundalk, he was educated at the College of Art in
Dublin, worked as a customs officer 1945â€"47, and then at the Abbey
Theatre as a producer of Irish language plays, subsequently becoming
Artistic Adviser to the Board in 1966, then Artistic Director
1972â€"79 and 1984â€"85. His work as an innovative stage director was
crucial in modernizing the Abbey style after its re-opening in 1966.
He directed Borstal Boy, which after its transfer to New York, won the
Tony Award for Best Play and earned him a nomination for Best
Direction of a Play at the 24th Tony Awards in 1970.[1]He co-wrote the
Irish pantomimes for years. Amongst his original plays are Winter
Wedding (1956), Dear Edward (1973), Scéal Scéalaà (1977), and
Glittering Spears (1983), a drama-documentary on O'Casey's The Silver
Tassie.He died in Bray, County Wicklow, aged 84[1]
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