CLARE actor Gerard Howard is appearing in a new play entitled ‘A Personal Prism’, which will receive its world première at the Black Box Theatre in Galway later this month.
The play is an unflinching, universal, truthful tale of friendship, laced with heart-warming humour.
It tackles issues including mental health and disability and it débuts at the Black Box Theatre, Galway on Tuesday,November 26 at 8 pm, with a second performance the following night.
The show, which is accessible to persons with and without a disability, then tours to local audiences in Portumna on November 28 before closing in Tuam on November 29.
Increased seating for wheelchair users and their companions is provided for all shows.
It was written by David Joyce, an MA graduate of Drama and Theatre Studies at the University of Galway.
Inspired by his own experiences, the Galway writer has created a moving, funny and deeply affecting story of life in a West of Ireland town from the perspective of a young man in a wheelchair.
The play tells the story of Lee Hanley, a regular guy in his mid-20s with a disability, living in a fictional small town in the West of Ireland.
Just out of college, he is job-hunting and hopes to write poetry and enjoy a social life. He has ordinary, everyday tangible dreams.
But in Lee’s world, nothing is ever simple. He feels trapped within the town and within himself; and struggles with mental health and the external barriers that are constantly put in his way.
Without any say, he is suddenly assigned a Personal Assistant who seems unsuited and things go from there.
The ensemble cast includes Lisdoonvarna actor Gerard Howard who plays Michael, an unemployed older man in the town, Johanne Webb in the role of Lee’s sister Megan and Eimear Finan who plays amateur drama diva Ronni, the comical but committed manager of a local disability services organisation.
Lee Hanley is played by Matthew Nolan, an Irish actor with a disability, living in London, whose recent work includes “Doctors” (BBC) and “1797” (History/Riot and Tramshed).
The play is directed by highly-regarded writer-director Declan Gorman whose previous successes include “The Big Fellow”; “The Green Fool” and “The Dubliners Dilemma”.
A former butcher in Lisdoonvarna, Gerry has appeared in numerous production on the stage and television in recent years.
His credits include the Dead School with Decadent Theatre, Trad with Young Vic London, Juno and the Paycock with ART Northern Ireland and Cork Opera House as well as the the Adventures of Shay Mouse, Midsummer for the Galway Arts Festival.
His recent television credits include Mattie by Pat Short. He has also developed and toured two one-man show entitled ‘Hats Off To Clare’ written and directed by Paul Brennan and Brian Merriman’s ‘Midnight Court’, directed by Paul Brennan.
Andrew Hamilton is a journalist, investigative reporter and blogger who has been working in the media in Ireland for the past 20 years. His areas of special interest include the environment, mental health and politics.