Willie brings unique view to play on prison life
Published:
-
-
Author: Our Reporter
~ 2 minutes read
From this week's Galway City Tribune
“It’s an amazing piece of theatre,” says actor and comedian Willie White about Brokentalkers’ production, The Examination, which explores mental health and welfare in Ireland’s prison system. The award-winning piece, which premiered at the 2019 Dublin Fringe Festival, will be performed at the city’s Black Box Theatre this Saturday, April 29, at 8pm as part of Galway Theatre Festival.
Dubliner Willie, a former heroin addict who served time in Mountjoy for various crimes, has had plenty of experience with the prison services.
He’s been clean now for more than two decades and these days, has several strings to his bow. A plasterer by trade, he’s also a comedian, having cut his teeth in Des Bishop’s 2006 series for RTÉ, Joy in the Hood. And, with The Examination, he’s turned his hand to acting.
Willie plays a criminal in this play while fellow cast member Gary Keegan plays someone who has been mugged.
The Examination, which is highly visual with a “visceral soundscape”, is based on research and testimony from prisoners and ex-prisoners, as well as historical research.
Gary Keegan is co-Artistic Director of the innovative Brokentalkers with Feidlim Cannon and their research for this piece involved hearing testimonies from prisoners in Mountjoy, as well as giving workshops there. The prison’s music teacher recommended that they get in touch with former prisoner, Willie.
“The teacher thought I was an interesting fellow and had seen me in a couple of plays in Mountjoy,” Willie explains. “He thought I had an interesting story and they tracked me down.”
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
More like this:
Plans lodged for significant housing development in Moycullen
Plans have been lodged for a significant housing development in Moycullen. The project led by Sol...
ATU staff to exhibit artworks in city churches to mark Easter ceremonies
Student teachers in creative arts from ATU Galway are to showcase a special art exhibition in cit...
Volunteers required as 500 trees set to be planted in Glenamaddy today
Glenamaddy Community Garden is appealing for volunteers today, Good Friday, to help with the plan...
Ann still going strong in charity kitchens at 85 years of age!
From this week's Galway City Tribune - After working her entire life on a farm and raising a fami...
Liam Carroll shafted by FG HQ in Galway County Council race
Bradley Bytes - a sort of political column with Dara Bradley What is going on in Fine Gael? No...
Schools’ anger over Government ultimatum on uprooting Ukrainian pupils
From this week's Galway City Tribune - Ukrainian families who integrated into the community on Ga...
An Bord Pleanála overrules safety concerns of its own senior inspector
From this week's Galway City Tribune - An Bord Pleanála has ignored the concerns of one of its ow...
United face busy weekend with ties against Derry City and Bohemians
IT’S possibly not an appropriate quip to make, given the nature of the film in question, and the ...
Clifden extends invite to annual Trad Fest
Riverdance composer Bill Whelan will officially open the 13th Annual Clifden Traditional Music Fe...