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The Arts Council Playography Na Gaeilge

Plays

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The Cow, the Ship and the Indian

OVERVIEW

  • Playwright

    Marie Jones (1) 

  • Notes

    Written for 8-11 year olds, this play features songs and music. It also has some lines written in the Irish language.

  • Synopsis

    The O'Donnell family are living in the North of Ireland in the 19th century. Times are hard and it's difficult to make a living. When their landlord puts their rent up again, they have no choice but to leave their home and take up passage to the New World. Eoin, the youngest in the family, longs for home. He sees in the plight of the Red Indians something of his own predicament, and tries to understand why difference engenders fear in people, and why the preservation of a way of life is important.

  • Play Type

    Theatre for Young Audiences

    Number Of Acts

    Full-Length

  • Cast Size Male

    17

  • Cast Size Female

    7

  • Cast Notes

    Cast-doubling is possible. See original production for details.

Original Production

  • Date of First Production

    09 January 1991

  • Producer

    Produced by Replay Theatre Company

  • Original Venue


  • Venue Notes

    This play was first performed at Harmony Hill Primary School, Lisburn as part of a tour to schools and venues.

Original Cast  
Patrick O'Donnell Sean Kearns
Jamsie the Blight (1) Sean Kearns
Kitty Morgan Sean Kearns
William Morgan Sean Kearns
Seamus (A Schoolboy) Sean Kearns
Lady (2) Sean Kearns
The Busker Sean Kearns
Brigid O'Donnell Libby Smyth
Mrs Murphy (A Cow) Libby Smyth
Sailor (1) Libby Smyth
The Medical Officer Libby Smyth
The Schoolma'am Lady Libby Smyth
The Butler Libby Smyth
Dora Wentworth Eccles Libby Smyth
Mrs. Wentworth Eccles Libby Smyth
Joseph O'Donnell Cathal Hayden
Sailor (2) Cathal Hayden
Gents (1 & 2) Cathal Hayden
A Passenger Cathal Hayden
Owen O'Donnell Aidan McCann
Jamsie the Blight (2) Aidan McCann
Fr. O'Rourke Aidan McCann
Red Cloud Aidan McCann
Production Team  
Director Pam Brighton
Set Designer Frank Quinn
Composer Cathal Hayden
Set Illustrator Ralph Dobson
Mask Design Frank Quinn
Stage Manager Carrie-Anne McAlonan-McCrudden
Set Construction Frank Quinn
Scenic Artist Trish McCartney
Secretary Irene Swift
Education Officer Frank Quinn
Company Artistic Director Brenda Winter

Rights Information

Source Of Information

The information for this entry was taken from the original production programme. Additional information was supplied by Replay Productions from information contained in the company files.