Description
Longford Productions was founded in 1936 by Edward and Christine, the sixth Earl and Countess of Longford. When the two-year-old Gate Theatre, founded by Micheál Mac Liammóir and Hilton Edwards, ran into financial difficulties in 1931, Lord Longford offered to buy the outstanding shares. The arrangement lasted until 1936, when, following disagreements, the company was divided in two, Edwards-Mac Liammoir Prodcutions and Longford Productions. Each company had six months in the theatre and six months touring. Longford Productions produced 151 plays at The Gate Theatre, during their 24 years of existence. They toured nationally and to London and enjoyed much success with plays by Denis Johnston, Bernard Shaw, and European dramatists such as Pirandello, Ibsen, and Chekov. Christine Longford was also playwright and wrote more than 15 plays for the company.