REVIEW: Project Children at Féile An Phobail
IN TERMS of subject matter, Project Children has a powerful narrative. The story of the pioneering initiative that was dreamt up in the States in 1975 by Denis Mulcahy, to give Protestant and Catholic children a break from the relentless Troubles via summer trips to America, is both moving and uplifting.
The Irish-born New York Police Department man started the scheme on 50 dollars and hope, plus excellent volunteers from the north. Fionnuala Kennedy's play of the same name, given its premiere during the Féile on Friday last, is also entertaining.
The piece shone with authenticity. In a way, Brassneck Theatre's production is a clever hybrid, part theatre, part documentary delivered by film footage of the Troubles era displayed on vast screens. Sections of Project Children are inevitably difficult to watch, but the actors gave a real sense of the kids' excitement, optimism and exuberance.
The New World provided these lucky children with just that. There was astonishment at the plushness of the American dream and its six bedroom mansions, not to mention its swimming pools, cowboy hats and chutzpah.
But, as one girl touchingly says when bought American clothes by her host mother, she wasn't bestowing charity or showing off, "she was just being a mum".
It's a nuanced tale, and Kennedy has included those who felt homesick. One says "I miss Belfast", even though she was very enthusiastic about the trip. The parents were sometimes ambivalent, and one maudlin mother tries to insist her son should return on the next flight to Northern Ireland.
However there is tragedy too: one scene deals with hunger striker Joseph McDonnell's daughter Bernadette coming home to the news of his death after bravely making speeches in America and receiving ill treatment by the partisan British press, who dubbed her an 'IRA robot'. This was very poignant and Sally McKinney, 10, acted the young girl.
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Possibly one of the most interesting stories was that of Rachel, a Protestant who ends up being asked on arrival which church she wants to go to, Catholic or Protestant. She isn't keen on going to either, but attends the Catholic church with the family, shocked that everybody's kneeling down.
Her wry take on things resonated. She referred to her life in the Shankill near a peace wall as ordinary, talked of an existence punctuated by "just another riot", although the punishment beating she saw left its mark.
When introduced as the Irish girl, she wants to say she's British, but doesn't, and manages to enjoy her leaving cake with its giant shamrock. Her American trip has taught her about different ways of seeing her home town, and its reality. Nicky Harley was brilliant.
We learned about the kid who got her Baywatch Barbie, about James (believable Terence Keeley) who wanted to stay in Montana forever. And about the volunteers' story, with Laura Hughes and Mary Moulds very convincing as Monica Culbert and Sally Brennan.
Project Children was directed by Tony Devlin with energy. 'Life-changing', would be the right adjective.
Project Children runs at St Comgall's Arts Centre until August 13. Tickets and showtimes via feilebelfast.com
