- Thu 26 - Fri 27 March 2026
- 8pm
Tickets on sale soon
Keith left Waterford in 1996 to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Funded by his hometown, he dreams of performing Shakespeare in his own accent.
Word Against the Word is a one-man play exploring how a working class Irish actor with dyslexia navigates show business, hoping but never knowing if he’ll ever get to play the king that once visited Waterford – Richard II.
The play weaves through Keith’s relationship with his nationality, dyslexia and classical theatre. It sets his life growing up and becoming an actor while still unable to read, against Richard’s speech as he sailed up the River Suir in 1399.
This is a hugely entertaining, life-affirming story that will make you laugh, make you cry and may make you angry, but it will also make you proud of the human spirit.
Audience reactions
"Heart-breaking and hilarious at the same time."
"Incredible!! Very moving. We talked about it the whole way home."
"I'm dyslexic and it spoke to me like no other play has."
"An insight into a different world."
Credits
Written by and performed by Keith Dunphy
Directed by Aoife Monks
Produced by Watering Hole Productions
Proudly supported by Arts Council Ireland