MARKING your card for original Limerick drama pieces organised with different groups and commenting on 20th and 21st century life in The Island Field. Belltable will host Queens of the Island Field from November 28 to 30, 8pm, the umbrella term for ‘Field of Dreams’ by Mike Finn and ‘Washed Up’.
This second play is devised by dramaturg Monica Spencer with teenage and adult participants and directed by the experienced Joan Sheehy.
A member of The Arts Council, Monica – known for projects with dance and film festivals, The GAFF and is an actress herself – takes us through the 90-minute evening teased out of these short, involving works.
“Both are about St Mary’s Park and the Island,” she notes, although ‘Field of Dreams’ is acted by Moyross Community Drama group (in this instance, all female other than Ger Purcell). “Yet there are strong connections between St Mary’s and Moyross because a lot of the Island moved to Moyross in the ’80s when it was built.”
‘Field of Dreams’ looks back to the magic of St Mary’s Park when it was a new build, each family being its own household within four clean walls, had their own garden and outside loo. Prosperity rose with industry and employment.
“Field of Dreams’ was put on in St Mary’s but it needed a balance, something that spoke to the current young community. They are really strong, rich in friendships, looking out for each other”.
A smaller cast going under the title of D’Island Girls plays out the action in ‘Washed Up’. “It’s following the antics of four young girls going around their lives and what happens to them. Somethings are happy and some are not but they are facing in to the issues of teenagers these days such as mental health, complex families, other relationships. And of course, their friendships.”
“Both plays are fun to do – and very funny”. Musician Jane Fraser is party to the works with a soundscape, film and video clips amping up production values.
Belltable booking at www.limetreetheatre.ie
