Month: September 2025

Final Chance to See Ulster American at The Sanctuary Theatre

By

Courtesy of Collette Creative

Bright Umbrella Theatre Company’s production of David Ireland’s acclaimed black comedy Ulster American is entering its final week at The Sanctuary Theatre in East Belfast, with the last performance taking place on Saturday, September 6.

The show, directed by Bright Umbrella founder and artistic director Trevor Gill, opened on August 26 and has since played to engaged audiences in the intimate 120-seat theatre.

Starring James Boal as Leigh Carver, Caroline Curran as Ruth Davenport and Andrew McClay as Jay Conway, the three-person cast has brought Ireland’s volatile and darkly comic script to life just streets away from where the playwright first drafted parts of the work.

The play unfolds in real time over 75 minutes, charting a late-night meeting between an American film star, an English director and a Northern Irish playwright. What begins as a professional discussion quickly unravels into confrontation, exposing tensions around identity, power and artistic integrity.

Speaking about the production, Trevor Gill said: “It is a pleasure to stage Ulster American by David Ireland in East Belfast, where he is from. We have a very strong and experienced cast well capable of delivering what is a challenging script. David Ireland’s work is a carefully crafted mixture of satire, shock and black humour. We can guarantee a memorable night at the theatre.”

The production has also drawn positive responses from critics. Belfast Times reviewer Jeff Meredith described it as “a sharp and unsettling experience that lingers long after the curtain call”. 

Robin Elliott and Jane Hardy from In The Stalls podcast called it “strangely compelling”, adding that “it leaves you questioning in a new way” and described the ending as “an incredible, bloody denouement” that left them “slightly traumatised”. They also praised Caroline Curran for delivering “a truly great performance as Ruth” that showed “what a fine actress she is”.

Ulster American has gained a reputation internationally for its brutal humour and uncompromising treatment of themes such as misogyny, consent and cultural identity. It contains very strong language, graphic violence and references to sexual assault.

The production is part-funded by Belfast City Council and supports the company’s wider programme of performance, education and community engagement.

Evening performances take place at 7pm, with a 2pm matinee on the final day.

Tickets for Ulster American at The Sanctuary Theatre are on sale now at www.brightumbrella.co.uk

Queen’s Graduate Revives Belfast Publishing Service After Cathedral Quarter Blaze

By

Almost three years after the business was devastated in a fire at Cathedral Buildings Belfast media and marketing company Excalibur Press has revealed they’ve brought back their publishing department thanks to a Queen’s graduate.

Following the blaze in their Donegall Street premises, caused by arsonist Patrick Gough who was jailed for the devastation, the company were forced to retire their small publishing department that had brought to life the work of 23 authors across Northern Ireland since its inception in 2015.

Thousands of pounds worth of stock was lost in the fire and the company struggled to revive the ailing department.

Chief vision officer and founder of Excalibur Press, Tina Calder, explained: “The fire at Cathedral Buildings in Donegall Street completely decimated our business and over the last three years my staff and I have had to make some really tough decisions such as retiring our publishing department in order to save the main business. 

“When Queen’s graduate Niamh Cooper asked if she could do a funded internship with us last year we jumped at the chance to start supporting young people again at the business.

“It became clear very quickly that Niamh had a natural aptitude for editing and publishing and so we agreed to publish Patience Bradley’s book Princess Mary’s Long Journey Home, a children’s book Patience had hand written in a notebook.

“Niamh’s dedication to supporting Patience, who is dyslexic, and helping her bring the book to life showed me that there might be life in the publishing department yet, albeit a slightly different offering from before.

“Alongside Niamh we started accepting the enquiries and created a new series of packages that are more than just publishing someone’s book for them. Instead, now we support authors through the entire journey with everything from ghost writing, line editing, copy editing and setting up their Amazon accounts, to helping them create a PR plan to support the launch of their book.

“I’m delighted Niamh has brought this department back to life and look forward to seeing how she develops it over time.”

Since Niamh’s arrival at Excalibur Press she has gone on to secure ongoing publishing work for the business alongside client relationship manager Carole King.

Niamh said: “As a recent 2025 graduate, it has been such a privilege to be able to work alongside wonderful authors in order to bring their books to life. 

“I’m very excited to continue building my skills and experience, whilst working alongside a wonderful team to grow the publishing department.”

In the last few months Niamh has overseen the publishing of 3 books: Holywood author Patience Bradley (Princess Mary’s Journey to Find True Love), County Devon writer Mike Menhennitt (Mount Radford School) and Ballymena journalist Jonathan Traynor (Race The Undead). 

Niamh is currently working with a portfolio of authors where she is supporting them with editing and publishing their own material and has opened the Excalibur Press diary for enquiries from new authors.

Author Patience Bradley said: “I’m delighted to be working with Excalibur Press again after they supported me with the release of my books Where Do You Go To My Lovely in 2017 and The Housework Workout in 2018.

“Working with Niamh on Princess Mary’s Long Journey Home was an absolute pleasure. She had her work cut out for her deciphering my notebook but she did an excellent job.

“Not just that, when we hit a bump in the road when I was struggling to figure out how to illustrate the book in the way in which I wanted Niamh supported me to use AI to help me create exactly what I wanted in a way that worked for me and the book. 

“Excalibur Press also looked after my book launch, PR and setting up my Amazon account so that I have full oversight of all my own sales.

“I’m already thinking about my next book and can’t wait to work with Niamh and the team again.” 

At the end of September Niamh will also be managing the release of Excalibur Press founder Tina Calder’s book I’ve Just Put My Socks On Standing Up, a frank and honest account of her 10 stone weight loss journey using the widely talked about medication Mounjaro.

Tina said: “I love writing and I love telling my story but I knew I didn’t have the time to do everything myself when it came to writing about my own personal experiences. Once Niamh had revived our publishing department it became apparent I could start working on my series of mini books covering aspects of my life that I speak about publicly and at events.

“We’re starting with my weight loss journey at the end of September but I’ll also be looking at topics such as my late diagnosis of ADHD, my struggle with the chronic condition Fibromyalgia, imposter syndrome and resilience and a few others.

“One thing I’ve been excited to see is how Niamh has weaved the wider Excalibur Press ethos of transparency into her department. There’s no get rich quick schemes or false promises of fame and fortune, it’s simple, honest advice that gives authors the ability to make informed choices about their publishing journey.”

To find out more about Excalibur Press’ publishing services contact niamh@excaliburpress.co.uk or go to excaliburpress.co.uk/publishing-packages

Belfast Orangefest Launches New Public Engagement Campaign To Help Shape Its Future

By

Orangefest, the cultural brand established by the County Grand Lodge of Belfast, has launched a new public engagement campaign aimed at shaping the future of its year-round programme of events, outreach, and celebrations.

With the help of Belfast-based media and marketing agency Excalibur Press, the initiative will see the development of a refreshed brand, messaging framework, and marketing strategy for Belfast Orangefest. A goal of which is to broaden participation, build deeper community connections, and ensure the festival reflects the evolving cultural landscape of Northern Ireland while remaining true to its heritage.

The project will involve a wide-ranging listening exercise with the public and key stakeholders. This includes opportunities for individuals and organisations to take part in interviews, surveys, workshops, and digital feedback sessions, ensuring the strategy is shaped by those it represents and impacts.

William Hughes, Director of Development at Belfast Orangefest said: “We want to hear from people across the community – whether they’ve been involved in Belfast Orangefest for years or are engaging with it for the first time. 

“This campaign is about listening, reflecting, and building something together that feels open, inclusive and proud of our cultural identity. 

“Our aim is to create a festival that celebrates heritage in a way that connects with all generations and backgrounds.”

Orangefest is the brand responsible for promoting Orange cultural events throughout the year including a series of fringe events in Belfast during the 12th of July celebrations, but in recent years it has evolved to include a growing programme of family-friendly events, educational activities, and cultural outreach throughout the year. 

The new campaign will support that evolution by refining how Belfast Orangefest presents itself publicly and helping shape its future direction.

Tina Calder, strategist and chief vision officer of Excalibur Press said: “This project is about more than just the development of Orangefest – it’s about people, stories and cultural connection. 

“Our goal is to work collaboratively with communities to develop messaging and engagement strategies that are authentic, respectful, and meaningful. 

“We want to ensure Orangefest reflects the values of the people involved in it and resonates with wider society, both now and in the future.”

As part of the campaign, Excalibur Press will deliver a comprehensive strategy covering stakeholder engagement, marketing and PR, content development, media analysis, and brand storytelling. A key focus will be exploring how the history and values behind Orangefest can be communicated in ways that inspire curiosity, bridge divides, and build understanding.

William Mawhinney, Director of Development of Belfast Orangefest added: “We believe Orangefest has the potential to be a powerful platform for community celebration, education, and unity. But that only works if we listen – really listen – to the people it represents. 

“This strategy is an open invitation for the public to help us shape a festival that speaks to today’s Northern Ireland.”

Members of the public are now being invited to register their interest in participating. 

Whether you’re a supporter, a curious observer, or a community member with ideas to share – this is your chance to shape something meaningful.

All you have to do to get involved is fill out an expression of interest at >> https://forms.gle/d21E3PsFB3u2f9UE7 

© Copyright What's On NI 2017. All Rights Reserved.