A new play with songs by Lizzie Nunnery
Directed by Gemma Kerr
★★★★ The Guardian
★★★★ The Stage
★★★★ Spy in the Stalls
★★★★ The Stage Review
‘Could peace come after? After what? Who will we be?’
Easter morning, 1916. Gunshots ring out in the Dublin streets.
In her suburban sitting-room Hanna prepares for revolution.
While Frank walks through the crowds calling for peace, John walks through his nightmares of the trenches and sees a city soaked in blood.
18-year-old William fearfully reports to the barracks for duty, determined to serve the British army with honour. But can honour survive the chaos of conflict, and once unleashed can violence ever be contained?
Inspired by true events, the production weaves movement and live folk song into a stirring tale of militarism, corruption and the power of rebellion.
Designer Rachael Rooney
Sound Designer/Composer Vidar Norheim
Lighting Design Richard Owen
Dramaturg Lindsay Rodden
Assistant Producer Alex Stringer
Assistant Director Chantell Walker
Produced in association with Liverpool Irish Festival and Claire Bigley
Supported by Oppenheim-John Downes Memorial Trust
Originally commissioned by Druid Theatre
Image by Andy Donovan
Tour dates 2018
Tue 2nd – Sat 20 October, 7pm (Sundays 4pm)
0207 498 4699/ omnibus-clapham.org
As part of Liverpool Irish Festival
Thurs 25 Oct, Fri 26 Oct & Sat 27 October, 7.30pm
0151 709 4776 / everymanplayhouse.com
Marlowe Theatre Studio, Canterbury
Tue 30 October, 8pm
01227 787787 / marlowetheatre.com
Thur 1st & Fri 2nd November, 8pm
01743 281281/ theatresevern.co.uk
Mon 5 November, 7.30pm
01223 352932/ anglia.ac.uk/mumfordtheatre
The Arts Centre at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk
Tue 6 November, 7.30pm
01695 584480/ edgehill.ac.uk/artscentre
The Cast:
Frank Gerard Kearns
Hanna Elinor Lawless
William Robbie O’Neill
Vane Russell Richardson
‘To Have To Shoot Irishmen’ Reviews
Meet…
“I started acting because I wanted to make work with a real social and political conscience, and this play does so.”
“I normally imagine what the characters would look like and what they would wear, but my familiarity with them, has meant that I am inspired by real life.”
Assistant Producer, Alex Stringer
“One marketing plan might not work for another etc.. so you’re almost starting fresh with each venue you go to which is exciting but daunting!”
“Frank and Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington were a fascinating couple, ahead of their time in many, many ways, and the way in which their story intersects with that of the Easter Rising in Dublin, just opens up all of those questions of ‘what might have been?’”
Almanac Arts 