New play offers vision of life had Ireland remained in UK
The Alternative, written by Michael Patrick and Oisín Kearney, examines what life would be like if Ireland were still part of the United Kingdom. It explores what might have happened if Home Rule had passed and there was no War of Independence and no partition, if Ireland were an island with just one soccer team.
The Alternative, from Fishamble: The New Play Company, is coming to the Town Hall Theatre on Tuesday next, October 1, as part of a nationwide tour after the company selected it as its ‘Play for Ireland’, following a two-year process of open submissions and workshops.
The superb cast is made up of Karen Ardiff, Lorcan Cranitch, Maeve Fitzgerald, Fionntán Larney, Rory Nolan, Rachel O’Byrne and Arthur Riordan.
The year is 2019 and it is the eve of a referendum. British Prime Minister Ursula Lysaght is returning to her hometown of Dublin to convince voters to Remain. With the threat of chaos in the streets, and personal conflict behind the scenes, the final debate is set to begin at BBC Dublin: Should Ireland leave the UK?
As part of its 30th year in 2018, Fishamble set out to find a big, ambitious play, one bursting with humanity and passion. Submissions were invited from across Ireland, encouraging people to write plays, engaging people aged 18+, from all communities throughout the country.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.