March 18, 2025
For immediate release

Contact:
Andrew Wood: 415-399-9554 (o) 415-305-1102 (c) [email protected]
Lucho Ramirez: 415-425-0445 [email protected]
Amil Al-Bakari: 707-580-0747 [email protected]

Captivating Solo Play In the Name of the Son Brings Gerry Conlon’s Story to the Stage

Calendar Editors Please Note
Who: Green Shoot Productions
What: In the Name of the Son
Where: Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th St., SF, CA 94110
Dates: Wed April 30, 7:00pm; Fr-Sat May 2- May 3. 8:00pm 2025
Tickets: Early Bird $30, Advance: $35, Door: $40
Box Office and Information: https://www.sfiaf.org/2025_green_shoot_productions or 415-399-9554

March 18, 2025 San Francisco, CA. San Francisco International Arts Festival is proud to present the United States premiere of In the Name of the Son. The production is a captivating solo play starring Shaun Blaney that chronicles the extraordinary life of Gerry Conlon of the Guildford Four following his release from prison in 1989, where he had been held by the British Government for 15 years. The Guildford Four was a group wrongly convicted of a bombing by the Irish Republican Army in a period dubbed The Troubles during the late 20th Century.

Presented by Belfast-based Green Shoot Productions, In the Name of the Son explores Conlon’s post-prison life, the roller-coaster of newfound freedom—receiving a major financial settlement--mingling with show business celebrities such as Johnny Depp and Daniel Day Lewis, while battling addiction and a sense of guilt for the death of his father in prison. Through raw storytelling and a commanding performance by Blaney, the play portrays Conlon’s ultimate redemption as a global advocate against the miscarriage of justice.

It is an unforgettable theatrical experience that shines a light on one man’s unlikely journey and the enduring legacy of British imperialism.

About the Artists:

Shaun Blaney (Performer): Shaun Blaney is a Northern Irish actor acclaimed for his portrayal of Gerry Conlon in In the Name of the Son, earning a Best Actor nomination at the Irish Theatre Awards (2022). His career spans TV and theatre, with credits in Game of Thrones (HBO), Bloodlands (BBC), Frankenstein Chronicles (ITV), and the award-winning crime drama Farr (RTE Ireland).

Tony Devlin (Director): A graduate of Mountview Academy, Tony Devlin is the founder and Artistic Director of Brassneck Theatre Company. He has directed over 20 productions and written six plays. Devlin has received multiple accolades, including the Aisling Award for his contribution to the arts.

Martin Lynch (Playwright): A leading figure in Northern Irish theatre, Martin Lynch has written extensively for stage, radio, and film. His plays have been performed across Ireland, the UK, and the US, tackling themes of social and political relevance.

Richard O’Rawe (Author): A former IRA operative and the Guildford Four’s press officer, Richard O’Rawe turned to writing, authoring Blanketmen, In the Name of the Son, and Northern Heist, drawing from his experiences in prison and beyond.

Green Shoot Productions: Green Shoot Productions is a Belfast-based non-profit theatre company founded in 2002 committed to developing socially and politically relevant plays that foster dialogue and engagement across communities.

Funding Credits: These performances were funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Irish Consulate General in San Francisco.

San Francisco International Arts Festival is made possible in part by (among others) the support of the National Endowment for the Arts, Creative West (formerly WESTAF), California Arts Council, San Francisco Grants for the Arts, Further Foundation, Canada Council for the Arts, Conseil des Artistes Quebecois and generous individual donors.

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