A powerful new drama by Martin Lynch will hit the Alley Theatre this September. ‘Meeting at Menin Gate’ will be in Strabane on Saturday 27th September.
Speaking ahead of the play’s Press launch, Lynch said, “I’ve wanted to write this play for quite a while. Whilst it’s based on a true story, some of my own experiences of Belfast in the 1970’s are in there. Consequently, I regard myself as both a victim and a perpetrator. I know people will see this as controversial but let them come along and see the play and judge for themselves.”
Based on a powerful true story, the play deals with the controversial issue of victims and survivors.
Presented by Green Shoot Productions, Meeting At Menin Gate follows Sam Millar’s Brothers In Arms and Ron Hutchinson’s Paisley & Me as the final instalment of the The Ulster Trilogy, a series of three plays exploring the state of Northern Ireland today.
Green Shoot is delighted to announce a top class team has been assembled for the production.
A rare appearance on stage in Northern Ireland has been secured for leading Dublin-based actress Andrea Irvine. Andrea has established herself as one of the very best actresses on the Dublin stage, having starring roles at The Abbey and The Gate Theatres and well as a number of leading RTE TV roles. We are delighted to have Andrea on our team.
Andrea said “I always love coming back to Northern Ireland, especially to play a meaty role like Liz in Meeting at Menin Gate.
This is an intense and powerful script, and I am really looking forward to the challenge.”
We are also delighted to have captured another leading light in the theatre worlds of New York and Dublin, Belfast man, Director, Matt Torney.
Commented Matt, “This play tackles questions that are vital to the future of peace in Northern Ireland, such as: How do we cope with the legacy of violence? How do we define victims and perpetrators? And is forgiveness possible in the face of such grief.”
As well as Andrea, Matt will be working with the very best of Belfast actors Marty Maguire (Dancing Shoes, Chronicles Of Long Kesh), James Doran (Brothers In Arms, The Christening) and Maria Connolly (Scenes From A Big Picture, Dancing Shoes).
Meeting at Menin Gate explores the world left behind by the Troubles in which politicians endlessly debate whether Northern Ireland should have a Truth Commission. Attending a cross-community Peace and Reconciliation tour of World War I battle sites, LIZ a protestant nurse, meets TERRY, an ex IRA gunman. In a hotel room in Ypres, Belgium, they open a bottle of wine and confront some painful secrets from the past. Will this be a two-person Truth Commission or simply raw, naked revenge?
Whilst this play will examine the pain of victims, it will also explore the motivations of the perpetrator in what promises to be a powerful climax to The Ulster Trilogy.
Green Shoot Productions would like to thank our funders for their support of Meeting at Menin Gate – The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council, Department for Social Development, Community Relations Council. Lloyds TSB Foundation, Victims and Survivors Service and The John Hewitt.
Tickets are £12 and available from the Alley Theatre Box Office on 028 71 384444 or online www.alley-theatre.com