UPCOMING THEATRE PROJECTS

The Union of Craic - IASH / Traverse Theatre Creative Fellowship 2022-23

Michael and Oisín were selected as the joint awardees of the IASH/Traverse Creative Fellowship for 2022-23. Working with academics at IASH (The Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at the University of Edinburgh), and dramaturgs at the Traverse Theatre, they are developing a play that explores nationalism - one of the world’s most dominant and powerful ideologies. With the constitutional makeup of the British Isles facing uncertainty and nationalist ideals on the rise around the world, they want to write a play that responds to urgent questions of independence and nationalism, whilst also having fun with it.

Living between Ireland and Scotland, we are particularly interested in the shared history and mythologies of the two nations, the interplay of Irish and Scottish nationalism, and how they are perceived at home and internationally. We plan to explore this through a fictional Union of Craic, a new political entity, joining Scotland with the island of Ireland. Perhaps we will finally settle the debate on the correct spelling: whiskey or whisky?

Oisín and Michael talking about their play on the IASH website.
The Traverse Theatre’s website.

The Battle of Belleek and Pettigo - Abbey Theatre Commemoration Bursary

Michael and Oisín have received one of fourteen Commemoration Bursaries from The Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s National Theatre. The bursaries are intended for artists to explore stories and figures from the War of Independence and Civil War period which have been sidelined by the dominant historical narrative, or those which remain underexplored on stage.

Michael and Oisín will use the bursary to explore The Battle of Belleek and Pettigo (1922) on the Irish border, the largest military engagement between Irish and British forces since the Easter Rising, and the last time Pro- and Anti-Treaty Forces fought together before the Civil War.

Read about the event here.
More information on The Abbey website.

Climate anxiety - The MAC & Bewley’s Cafe Theatre

Michael and Oisín are members of The MAC’s Hatch and Scratch programme, and the Bewley’s Cafe Theatre New Writing Initiative - through which they are working on a new play looking at climate anxiety, family dynamics and Christmas dinner.

The Táin - As Told by an Exiled King - Fishamble’s New Play Clinic & An Táin Arts Centre Dundalk

Michael and Oisín have received funding from the Irish Arts Council to adapt An Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley) into a one man theatre piece.

The Táin is Ireland’s national epic. It tells the tale of Ulster’s most famous warrior, Cú Chulainn, as he defends Ulster from the invading Queen Medb of Connacht. Their play is told from the perspective of Fergus mac Róich, the exiled King of Ulster who leads Medb’s army.

They have been supported generously by Fishamble’s New Play Clinic (including mentorship by Pat Kinevane) and An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk.