Paul Mercier (born 1958 in Dublin) is an Irish playwright screenwriter, film and theatre director. Born in Dublin and living in An Cheathrú Rua he was the founder member and Artistic Director of the Passion Machine Theatre Company, and is a Director with Anne Gately of the film production company An Pointe Productions. His work is known for its gritty poetic realism and examination of ordinary, contemporary Irish life.

Career

Paul Mercier's work is known for what Irish journalist

Fintan O'Toole Fintan O'Toole (born 16 February 1958) is a polemicist, literary editor, journalist and drama critic for ''The Irish Times'', for which he has written since 1988. O'Toole was drama critic for the ''New York Daily News'' from 1997 to 2001 and is ...

calls its "inclusive dramatic vision". His plays have received numerous awards such as the Harvey's Irish Theatre Award for Best New Irish Work, The Sunday Independent Arts Award, The Sunday Tribune Arts Award, The Rooney Prize for Irish Literature, and an Edinburgh Fringe First Award. His 1998 Dublin Trilogy received the Evening Herald/ Dublin Theatre Festival Award for Best Irish Production and The Irish Times/ ESB Irish Theatre Award for Best Production. He has written and directed two award-winning short films for Brother Films, 'Before I Sleep' and 'Lipservice', inspired by his time as an Irish teacher at

Greendale Community School Greendale Community School was a community school, a form of State-sponsored secondary school, in the Northside suburb of Kilbarrack, Dublin, Ireland, located near the boundary with Raheny. Location Greendale was situated on c. of land, ne ...

Kilbarrack Kilbarrack ( - ''Church of St. Berach'' or ''of young Barra'') is a residential suburb of Dublin, Ireland, running inwards from the coast, about from the city's centre. It is also a civil parish in the ancient barony of Coolock. Modern-day Kil ...

. He directed and co-created the hit Irish-language teenage series ' Aifric' for TG4. He wrote and directed 'Sétanta', a co-production by the

Abbey Theatre The Abbey Theatre ( ga, Amharclann na Mainistreach), also known as the National Theatre of Ireland ( ga, Amharclann Náisiúnta na hÉireann), in Dublin, Ireland, is one of the country's leading cultural institutions. First opening to the pu ...

and Fibín Theatre Company which received the BBC Irish language award at the 2012 Stewart Parker Trust Awards.

Playography

Paul Mercier has written and directed the following plays for the Passion Machine Theatre Company, founded in 1984. The company is a project-based operation, staging only original Irish work, and committed to a wholly indigenous theatre that depicted, challenged and celebrated the contemporary Irish experience. Out026

*''Drowning'' (1984), *''Wasters'' (1985), *''Studs'' (1986), *'' Spacers'' (1986), *''Home'' (1988), *''Pilgrims'' (1993), *''Buddleia'' (1995), *''Kitchensink'' (1996), *''Native City'' (1998), *''We Ourselves'' (2000), *''Diarmuid and Gráinne'' (2001), *''P'' (2006). His work for The Abbey Theatre includes: * ''Down the Line'' (2000) irected by Lynn Parker * ''Homeland'' (2006) riter/Director * ''The Passing'' (2011) riter/Director * ''The East Pier'' (2011) riter/Director He has written and directed two plays in the Irish language for Irish language theatre company Fíbín * ''Sétanta'' (2011), * ''Réiltín'' (2013).

Filmography

Paul Mercier has written and directed three award-winning short films: * ''Before I Sleep'' (1996), * ''Lipservice'' (1998), * ''Tubberware'' (2001) He has directed and adapted for the screen his much loved play for

Fiach Mac Conghail Fiach Mac Conghail (born 4 August 1964) is CEO of the Digital Hub Development Agency. He is a former Director of the Abbey Theatre from 2005 to 2016. He is a former Senator from 2011 to 2016 and was appointed by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny. Early ...

and Cuan Mac Conghail's Brother Films * '' Studs'' (2006), For his own film production company An Pointe Productions: * ''Pursuit'' (2015), *''We Ourselves'' (2018) He was the director and co-creator of the celebrated

TG4 TG4 ( ga, TG Ceathair, ) is an Irish free-to-air public service television network. The channel launched on 31 October 1996 and is available online and through its on demand service TG4 Player in Ireland and beyond. TG4 was formerly known ...

TV series, '' Aifric'' (2006, 2007, 2008). Aifric won best Children's/Youth programme at the 2007, 2008, 2009

Irish Film and Television Awards Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

, and was nominated for Best Irish Language show in 2009.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Mercier, Paul Irish dramatists and playwrights Irish film directors Irish theatre directors 1958 births Living people