The Civic is staging a double bill of two plays with a political theme – The State Of The Nation and The Fund – on Tuesday May 2nd and Wednesday May 3rd. 8pm
The State Of The Nation is a satire featuring a poker game in the afterlife between Thomas Davis, Jim Larkin, Michael Collins and Charlie Haughey over which they discuss the current state of Ireland today – covering topics such as Water Charges, Hospital Waiting Lists, Apple Tax and Brexit.
The Fund is based on the true story of IMF whistleblower Davison Budhoo, who resigned from the IMF in 1988 alleging gross irregularities and corruption in the funds dealings with developing nations.
There will be a post-show talk on the themes raised by the performance – civil war politics, the current Irish political establishment, the influence of the IMF on Ireland today, inequality, austerity, water protests etc.
CAST
The State of The Nation
Thomas Davis James Lawne
James Larkin Peter Byrne
Michael Collins Cillian O’Gairbhí
Charlie Haughey Conal Gallen
The Fund
James Lawne Davison Budhoo
Jack Quinn McKenzie Fischer
Peter Byrne Director
Cathleen Bradley Ms Hicks
Peter Byrne Peter has extensive experience under his belt. Previous roles include Charlemagne in ‘Pippin’, Isaac Tallentire in the ‘Hired Man’ and theatre performances include Macduff in ‘Macbeth’, Charles the Wrestler in ‘As You Like It’ and The Indian in ‘Tillsonburg’. Peter previously appeared at the Balor as Daddy Warbucks in Balor DCA’s Annie. In ‘real life’ Peter is the proprietor of The Cove Restaurant in Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal – a most excellent establishment which he would encourage you to visit if you’re ever in the neighbourhood!
Cathleen Bradley Cathleen has been involved in theatre for over 20 years in productions such as Annie, The Country Boy, Dancing at Lughnasa, Lovers, Stand by Your Man-The Tammy Wynette Story, The Patsy Cline Story and The Factory Girls. TV & Movie roles followed throughout the years. She has toured more recently with Conal Gallen’s comedy hit shows “A Bit On The Side” and “A Bit On The Sunny Side”. A busy 2016 saw her touring with The Butt Drama Circles production of Brian Friel’s ‘Translations’, a 10 night run playing Nancy Oliver! and a tour of Donegal venues with Balor Reps production of Marie Jones ‘Fly Me To The Moon’. In addition to her acting career Cathleen also works as an educational office / facilitator for the Balor Developmental Community Arts Group.
Conal Gallen Conal is one of Irelands best known comedians. As a stand up-comic he has toured regularly in Ireland and abroad, consistently filling venues such as The Milllennium Forum, Derry, The TF Royal in Castlebar and An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny. He has released over 20 DCD’s and 40 CD’s including the double platinum selling Conal Gallen: Live & Full Of It. Conal toured Ireland extensively in 2014 with his hit comedy play ‘A Bit On the Side’ racking up over 250,000 in ticket sales culminating in a show in Belfast’s Odyssey Arena.
James Lawne James is a graduate of The Birmingham School of Speech and Drama. He worked extensively in Birmingham and London on a variety of theatre and Theatre in Education projects before finally firmly planting his roots back in Donegal.This is the second Balor Rep production James has been involved with having taken on the role of ‘Count Mushroom’ in Brian Friel’s comedy ‘The London Vertigo’. He is delighted to be back and tackling a very different character in Thomas Davis.James will next be appearing in ‘The Giant Who would be King’ a Theatre in Education piece to be presented in primary schools throughout Donegal.
Cillian O Gairbhi Cillian is a graduate of the Gaiety School of Acting. He has since appeared in ‘Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me’, ‘Toxic’ ‘An Triail’, ‘Love Matters’, ‘True West’ , ‘Broadening’ , ‘iphiginia in orem’, ‘ The Waiting Room’, ‘Maum Trasna’, ‘Hitting The Mark’, ‘The Bachelor of Kilkish’ and many other stage productions. Most recently he played Michael Collins in ‘The Big Fella’. His television credits include Vikings, Moonfleet, Ros na Rún, Corp agus Anam, Epic, and Wrecking The Rising. Cillian is Co-Artistic Director of Ramblinman Theatre Company.
Jack Quinn Jack has over 30 years acting experience highlights of which include appearances in Big Telly`s stage production of Spike Milligan`s Puckoon and Tinderbox`s Bruised and The Duke of Hope. He began his acting career at the Balor where his favourite roles have included Tom Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie, Ivan Khlyestakov in The Government Inspector, Joxer Daly in Juno and the Paycock, Barney Cashman in Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Mr Drumm in Da, JohnnyPateenMike in The Cripple of Innismaan, Shaun Keogh in Playboy of the Western World and the Porter in Macbeth. Jack has also worked extensively with An Grianan Theatre – appearing as Jimmy-Jack in Translations, Mr Byrne in Big Maggie, Father Jack in Dancing at Lughnasa and Skitter in The Witchin` Well which played to great acclaim at the 2006 International Festival of Children`s Theatre in Bucharest. Other companies that Jack has worked with include Fada, Cork Opera House, Crackitopen, Yew Tree and Blue Eagle. Film and TV work includes C U Burn, The Closer You Get, An Everlasting Piece and Dead Long Enough.
THE STATE OF THE NATION & THE FUND, Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd May, 8pm, Civic Theatre Tallaght.
