A thought-provoking play on how the Irish state and the settled community treat the Irish Traveller community will be coming to the Alley Theatre in Strabane for ‘free’ shows at 1 pm & 7:30 pm on Tuesday, February 27, and the Playhouse Derry at 1 pm & 7.30 pm on Wednesday, February 28.Created in response to the Carrickmines tragedy – which claimed the lives of ten members of the travelling community in October 2015 when the caravans on their halting site caught fire, ‘Ireland Shed a Tear?’ is a play by acclaimed writer and actor, Michael Collins (Pavee Lackeen, Killinaskully, Glenroe, King of the Travellers).
Using song and poetry, it portrays the life experiences of one Traveller family, while engaging the wider community in a dynamic and light-hearted way.
In the aftermath of the fire that claimed the lives of ten members of the Connors and Gilbert families, including a pregnant mother, Tom sees the introduction of a national fire safety audit of Traveller accommodation as an opportunity for a better life for his family. Living conditions, safety, and issues with his local council might finally be resolved.
However, he soon discovers that the battle is far from over!
The thought-provoking play looks at some of the issues of racism affecting the Traveller community as evident around the time of the funerals of the Carrickmines families in Bray and Wexford.
It depicts travelling life in contemporary Ireland as a series of injustices – asking some difficult questions and hoping to provoke the consciousness of the settled community and their attitude towards the Traveller community.
This production will also focus on Traveller issues around accommodation etc. locally and will include a Q&A with Michael and other local Travellers / Traveller representatives about issued raised during the production.
Admission for the ‘Ireland Shed a Tear?’ shows are free and supported by DCSDC’s Good Relations Programme.
For more information and to book your tickets please contact the Alley Theatre Box Office on 028 71 384444 or online www.alley-theatre.com or the Playhouse at www.derryplayouse.co.uk or phone 02871 268027.
