Four revolutionaries meet in the afterlife, 100 years after the 1916 rising to tell the hidden stories of the lives of some of the heroes who would not ‘fit’ the vision of the new ‘Republic of equals’ that was promised in the glorious revolution.
Full of humour, pathos and actual testimony, Eirebrushed seeks to challenge the conventional Irish Republican stereotype to set out the contribution of lesbian and gay people at a time of struggle to overcome oppression in Ireland. The play records their words used in inspirational poetry and speeches as they struggled to create a society where, as the Proclamation promised “no minority would be subject to the will of the majority.” Produced by TOSOS.
The all-Irish cast stars award-winning actress Maria Blaney as Nurse Elizabeth O’Farrell, who was famously airbrushed out of the 1916 surrender photograph; Flo McSweeney as author, trade unionist and activist sister of Countess Markievicz, Eva Gore Booth; John Kelly as poet-turned-revolutionary Padraig Pearse; and Stephen Gorman as human rights activist Roger Casement.
"Eirebrushed is an emotional, inspirational, and thought-provoking piece. Not just about heroes from the past and their fight for a free Ireland, it tackles the broader topic of censorship and the price we pay for censoring ourselves.” - Seraina Vogel, The Outmost.com
"Fascinating and acted with such brio and immediacy…I was challenged by the 'truths' presented" - Liam Murphy, Munster Express
THE 1st Annual "BAD PLAYS" FESTIVAL
(A World Premiere)
Produced by NY Artists Unlimited @the Downeast Arts Center
Opening August 10, 2005
Each group of plays will run on the same night for three consecutive weeks and even popcorn will be served!
"Bad Plays, Good Times," featuring Safecracking by Chuck Spoler, Punchlines by Bob Ost, Blood Astounds Me by Don Chan Mark, and Expletives Deleted by Crystal D. Langley. (Wednesdays, August 10, 17, and 24)
"Foreign Bodies & Sexual Furniture," featuring Space Sluts Are Hotties by J. Boyer, A Friendly Fiasco by Frederick Timm, and Screwing Rachel by Desi Moreno-Penson. (Thursdays, August 11, 18, and 25)
"So Bad, It's Good," featuring die gefahrliche Dunkelheit (The Dangerous Dark) by Mark Ginocchio, Film Noix by Ed Malin, The Hotter Crucible by Con Chapman, and The Unblackening of the Black Heart of King David, Who Had a Black Heart by Steven Pinto. (Saturdays August 13, 20, and 27)
Discussions will be held nightly and audience members are encouraged to vote for their favorite ‘bad' play. On Sunday, August 28, beginning at 6:00 PM, there will be a repeat performance of the top three winners/losers, plus an awards ceremony with presentation of the coveted Golden Pineapple for "Best Worst" play. Admission will be free of charge to those who have attended the festival, although reservations are required due to limited seating.