THE Playhouse in Derry will dramatise life in an Irish Catholic College during the 1950s with its new production The Monk, The Bird and The Priest.
Inspired by real life first-hand accounts, the play has been written by Liam Campbell (The Bog Couple) and will be directed by Kieran Griffiths for its four-day run at the Artillery Street theatre from Wednesday May 16 until Saturday May 19
Set in a fictional 1950s Irish College, pre-production for the play comes at a time when fresh stories of abuse in Catholic dioceses around the country are emerging.
"For some pupils their schooldays are the making of them, for others they are a living and crushing hell," says Griffiths.
"This play creates a fictional setting, where for the chief tormenters no humiliation, no beating, no mental torture is too savage in the righteous shaping of their wards.
"But for one principled priest, Fr Jude Connolly, every day presents an opportunity to shine a little Grace and replenishing light into the lives of these Catholic boys.
"An extensive interview process and detailed investigative research by the production team has culminated in a powerful work that is by turn, moving, harrowing, and bejewelled with moments of dark comedy."
:: Tickets £10 (all tickets £5 on Wednesday May 16) available from The Playhouse Box Office on 028 7126 8027 and online at Derryplayhouse.co.uk
