ENTERTAINMENT: What would Michael Collins make of it all if he were alive today? What would Jim Larkin have to say about water charges? Would Charlie Haughey have handled austerity differently? Would Thomas Davis – the father of modern Irish nationalism – approve?
Find out this weekend at the premiere of brand new political satire The State Of The Nation at The Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey.
Weighing in with their opinions in a post show discussion that promises to be every bit as fascinating as the show itself will be, among others, Brendan Ogle of the Right2Water campaign and former political editor of The Irish Independent John Drennan.
Commissioned by Donegal County Council as part of it’s 1916/2016 commemorative programme the premise of the play is a game of poker in the afterlife between four giants of Irish political history – Thomas Davis, Jim Larkin, Michael Collins and Charlie Haughey – during which they discuss the current state of the nation.
Over the course of forty minutes they discuss 1916, the civil war fallout, and modern day issues of homelessness, hospital waiting lists, the water charges and the formation of the new government.
It’s a satire so there’s plenty of humour mixed in with cutting political commentary on the current State Of The Nation.
There’s plenty of local connections – the play is written by Balor Arts Centre manage Conor Malone and seasoned professional actor/director Charlie Bonner returns to his home town to direct the show.
The cast features well known local comedian Conal Gallen in the role of Charlie Haughey with Cillain O Gairmhi (Michael Collins), Peter Byrne (James Larkin) and James LAwne (Thomas Davis) rounding out the cast.
As a curtain raiser the Butt Drama Circle will perform a rehearsed reading of Conor Malone’s radio play The Fund which was broadcast on RTE Drama On One last July. And following the full stage performance of The State Of The Nation broadcaster and journalist Frank Galligan will chair a discussion Ireland Today v The 1916 Proclamation – How Do We Measure Up?
There are some household names on the panel for what should be a fascinating discussion including Brendan Ogle of UNITE Trade Union and Right2Water, writer and journalist John Drennan (former political editor of The Irish Independent and economist Terrence MacDonough from NUIG.
The running order for the event is as follows:
- 7pm – the Fund (Rehearsed Reading)
- 8pm – The State Of The Nation
- 9pm – Ireland today vs The 1916 Proclamtion – How Do We Measure Up?
- Tickets for The State Of The Nation (Saturday June 4th @ 7pm) are just
€10 and are available from The Balor Box Office on 0749131840 or online at www.balorartscentre.com<https://>
