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The Little John Nee Residency
About the artist
John Nee is a Donegal artist with a huge back catalogue of work – at least fifteen plays from the last ten years. As a Donegal artist his work is very much grounded in the historical and contemporary issues which we face in this North West corner of the island, and his work shows a keen understanding of the particular issues that affect the border dwelling communities.
Born in Glasgow, John spent his summers in Donegal, and returned to his parents hometown Letterkenny at the age of twelve.
He performed as Charlie Chaplin in Grafton St. in the early eighties as well as performing regularly with the Grapevine Touring Theatre before joining newly formed Macnas in Galway. He has appeared in films such as Neil Jordan’s “High Spirits” and Barry Levinson’s ‘Everlasting Piece’.
In the early nineties he wrote, directed, and performed many children’s theatre shows most notably for the Galway Arts festival.
John has created a theatrical style of storytelling all of his own and his magnetic performances have garnered him an international reputation.
Artist History
2010
April/May Barabbas present a national tour of Johnny Patterson the Singing Irish Clown written by Little John Nee, directed by Raymond Keane. Winner Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards Best Supporting Actor – Bryan Burroughs and Nominated Best Designer: Sound – Roger Gregg
2009
Johnny Patterson the Singing Irish Clown commissioned and produced by Barabbas from an Arts Council Commissioning Award, written by Little John Nee, Directed by Raymond Keane premiered at the George Bernard Shaw theatre Carlow. Performed by Roger Gregg, Brian Burroughs and Little John Nee Johnny Patterson the Singing Irish Clown 11 performances in Project Arts Centre, Dublin
2008
The Mental included in the English Department curriculum at National University of Ireland, Galway.
Dead Rooster Blues
Written, directed, and performed by Little John Nee. Music by Little John Nee. Set design and construction by Little John Nee. Co. Leitrim - Premiere, Killargue Hall, as part of the Flights of Fancy Festival; also Dock Arts Centre. Co. Donegal - An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny; Earagail Arts Festival; and Bluestacks Festival. Co. Galway - Nuns Island Arts Centre, Galway; Tuam Arts Festival; Clifden Arts Festival.
Star of Stage, Screen and Street Corners
Written, directed and performed by Little John Nee. Scotland - St. Patricks Festival, Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire. West Belfast Festival; Flat Lake Festival, Co. Monaghan; Macklin Festival, Derry. Co. Laois - Electric Picnic (Spoken Word Tent), Stradbally.
Galway City and County Theatre Artist-in-Residence “From inspiration to realisation” A series of talks, workshops and panel discussions devised with guest speakers and facilitators as part of the Galway City and County Theatre Artist Residency.
2007
The Broken Song
Commissioned and produced by axis ballymun. Written, directed and performed by Little John Nee. Music composed and performed by Little John Nee, Laura Sheeran and Coaimhe Connelly. Costume design by Mags Linnane. Set Design by Bill Wright and Little John Nee. Premiered November 2007 at axis ballymun
A Ukulele Cometh
An experimental synthesis of storytelling, music and physical theatre for one person written and performed by Little John Nee for the Tuam Arts Festival, at the Mall Theatre Tuam
Galway City and County Theatre Artist-in-Residence 2007-2008 “From Inspiration to Realisation” A series of talks, workshops and panel discussions devised with guest speakers and facilitators as part of the Galway City and County Theatre Artist Residency.
Limavady My Heart’s Delight
Written and directed by Little John Nee. Music by Laura Sheeran. Set Design by Mike Regan. Performed by Little John Nee and Laura Sheeran. Market Place Theatre Armagh Belfast Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. Co. Galway - Town Hall Theatre Galway City; Portumna; Clarinbridge.
The Mental
Commissioned and produced by axis ballymun, Dublin. Written, Directed and performed by Little John Nee. Music written and performed by Little John Nee, Laura Sheeran and Nuala Ni Chanainn. Lighting Design by Sinead Wallace. Set Design by Mike Regan. Town Hall, Galway and axis Ballymun
Star of Stage, Screen and Street Corners
A selection of extracts from previous shows woven into an exciting, comedic, and sometimes poignant evening’s entertainment. Written, directed and performed by Little John Nee.
Scotland- Coatbridge St. Patricks Festival.
England – Dipton Arts Centre, Co. Durham. Newcastle Irish Centre, Tyneside
Ireland - The Market Hall, Miltown Malbay, Charlestown Town Hall, Co. Mayo; Ballyshannon Abbey Centre, Co. Donegal; Roscommon Arts Centre, Co. Roscommon.
Uncle Max “Referee” in silent comedy for BBC.
2006
Limavady My Heart’s Delight
Earagall Arts Festival. Premiered in July, then moved to the Project ‘06 festival in Galway.
The Mental
Premiered at axis, ballymun, Dublin in May, as part of the “Out of the Silence” festival. Played a week at An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal as part of the same festival.
Jack and the Beanstalk
Script commissioned by An Grianan Theatre for their Christmas production. Directed by Myles Breen. Performed at An Grianan Letterkenny and Civic Theatre Tallaght
Star of Stage, Screen and Street Corners
February tour in Scotland. Summer tour of small festivals in the West of Ireland. Performed at Nuns Island, Galway in November.
Rural Electric
Performed at Town Hall Theatre, Galway, 2006. Commissioned and co-produced in 2004 by the Errigal Festival, Co. Donegal. Written, directed and performed by Little John Nee. Music by Laura Sheeran. Lights by Aidan Wallace. Set Design by Mike Regan.
Summer of the Flying Saucer Film directed by Martin Duffy
2005
Star of Stage, Screen and Street Corners
Autumn tour, Co. Donegal and Northern Ireland. The Mental Playwriting commission from axis Ballymun.
Rural Electric
Irish Tour, April/May.
2004
Rural Electric
Commissioned and co-produced by the Earagail Festival, Co. Donegal. Written, directed and performed by Little John Nee. Music by Laura Sheeran. Lights by Aidan Wallace. Set Design by Mike Regan. Performed at various venues throughout the festival.
Fear an Phoist Little John Nee in the title role of the “Postman” in six-episode silent comedy series for TG4 Ireland (second season).
Salt o’ the Earth
Commissioned and produced by Cumbernauld Theatre for the Scottish Touring Theatre Consortium in 2003. Written and performed by Little John Nee. Directed by Simon Sharkey. Music by Kevin Duffy. Set Design by Kai Fischer. Irish tour 2004.
Christy Moore’s special guest on summer tour 8 shows.
2003
Salt o’ the Earth (as above)
Premiered at Galway Arts Festival, followed by tour of Scotland.
The Visit
Little John Nee with singer-musician Sean Tyrell and poet Mary O’Malley. Tour of Ireland.
Country and Irish
Written, directed and performed by Little John Nee. Music by Kevin Duffy, Lights by Jim Faulkner, Set Design by Dara Mc Gee. Irish tour; 4 shows in Wales.
Country and Irish and The Derry Boat (See 2002). Toured Scotland in tandem, The Derry Boat selling out two nights at the legendary Citizen’s Theatre, Glasgow.
2002
Country and Irish
Galway Arts Festival. 14 performances at Town Hall Theatre, Galway. Subsequent national tour.
The Derry Boat
Written and performed by Little John Nee, directed by Padraig Breathnach. Music by Fergal Gallagher. Commissioned by Earagaill Arts Festival, as part of Arts Council Scriptwriters Award in 1998. 2002 Spring Tour - Ireland, Scotland and Wales. 2002 Fall tour - Scotland.
Fear an Phoist Little John Nee in title role of the Postman in six-episode silent comedy series for TG4 Ireland.
2001
Donde Esta Jesus Fahy?
Galway Arts Festival. Written, directed and performed by Little John Nee. Music by the Spanish Archers. Lights by Alex Ferni. 11 performances at the Town Hall Theatre.
Helen Hayes Award nomination “Outstanding Lead Actor in Non Resident production” in The Derry Boat. Washington, D.C.
The Derry Boat Irish tour of major provincial theatres. 30 performances.
The Ballad of Jah Kettle
Co. Galway - Town Hall Studio Theatre, Galway – 12 performances. 3 performances at West Belfast Féile.
An Fear an Phoist (The Postman) Pilot for a silent comedy series for television, with Little John Nee in the title role. Broadcast on TG4 Ireland.
2000
The Ballad of Jah Kettle
Galway Arts Festival - Premiere. Written, directed and performed by Little John Nee. 11 performances. Earagail Arts Festival - Previewed to 100 people, all shapes, sizes and ages, at Cashel na gCorr, a remote, abandoned railway station at the foot of Mt. Errigal in Northwest Donegal.
The Derry Boat tour Washington, D.C. - 3 weeks at the Keegan Theatre Co. Galway - 2 weeks in Town Hall, Galway. West Belfast Festival.
An Everlasting Piece Screenplay by Barry McEvoy. Directed by Barry Levinson. “Toupee or Not Toupee” Salesman.
1999
Dead On
Galway Arts Festival, premiere. Written and performed by Little John Nee. Directed by Kate O’ Toole. Music by Fred McCluskey. 11 performances at Druid Lane Theatre.
The Derry Boat Tour. Various festivals throughout Ireland.
1999
Church Of Chill
one man show Co. Mayo - Westport Arts Festival. Co. Cork – De Barras Clonakilty.
1998
The Derry Boat
Written and performed by Little John Nee, directed by Padraig Breathnach, Music by Fergal Gallagher. Commissioned by Earagail Arts Festival, as part of Arts Council Scriptwriters Award.
Co. Donegal – Ramelton Town Hall (premiere); Dunfanaghy; Letterkenny.
Co. Galway – Galway Town Hall: 15 performances.
Dublin Fringe Festival – 6 performances at The Project at the mint
1997
Mad Suffering Blues
Songs and theatrics written and performed by Little John Nee with composer/musician John Dunne.
Swantown
chidrens show written and performed by Little John Nee in Leisureland for Salthill Festival
1996
Church Of Chill eleven performances at Punchbag Theatre Galway
Clunacauneen Castle Seanachie Traditional Irish storytelling as part of a series of traditional nights throughout the summer.
1995
Donkey Jacket de la Dumpa “Wainsfest”, Co. Donegal. Children’s show written and performed by Little John Nee.
Church Of Chill comedy and blues written and performed by Little John Nee, 12 shows at Taylors Marquee Dominic St.
John et la Fée Electrique (see below). Performed at La Friche la Belle de Mai, Marseille.
Recipient – Arts Flight Award to ParIs.
The Beat Initiative Belfast- worked for a week the Nettlefield School East Belfast directing and devising a performance with the children which was presented to the local community
1994
Three and a Half Wonders of the World Written and directed by Little John Nee for Macnas, Galway. The anchor show of the Galway Arts festival Chidrens programme and toured several summer festivals
John et la Fée Electrique La Friche la Belle de Mai, Marseille, France. Multi-media rock operetta, with sculptor Peter Sinclair and composer Guy Andre Largesse. Comissioned to write songs and perform as central character.
Another Funny Day Written and directed by Little John Nee performed by Little john Nee and Gerry Mallon Galway Arts Centre, Wainsfest Co. Donegal, Triskell Arts Centre Cork
Noah’s Ark Macnas Co-directed the parade and spectacle in Derry/Londonderry working with schools and community groups for a month prior to the performance.
1993
Radio Ballygroovy Christmas Special Galway Arts Centre Written and directed and performed by Little John Nee, set design Keeva Holland
Wild Wooly Field in the West commissioned by Galway Arts Festival. Children’s show, written and directed, performed by Little John Nee, with Anne Learmount and Laura Sheeran, set design Keeva Holland
1992
Surfing With A Camel commissioned by Galway Arts Festival. Children’s show, written and directed by Little John Nee. Performed by Little John Nee, Frankie Mc Cafferty, Music and songs by John Dunne and Little John Nee
Johnny Patterson Everyman Theatre, Cork. Performed as “Johnny Patterson, the Singing Irish Clown.” with Michael O’ Suilleabhain and Mel Mercier
1991
Little Big Heart commissioned by Galway Arts Festival. Children’s show, written and directed by Little John Nee.
Performed by Little John Nee, Frankie Mc Cafferty, Jane Talbot, Sean Sammon, Gary Mc Mahon, and Jill McGreggorMusic and songs by John Dunne and Little John Nee. Set Design Keith Payne and Ger Sweeney
Yo Spooks Original show for children. Written and directed by Little John Nee performed by Little John Nee and Dick Donaghue. Set design by Owen Mc Carthy Galway Arts Centre, Wainsfest Co.Donegal
Circus Story Produced by Macnas, Galway. Written by Trish Forde; directed by Rod Goodall. Songs by Little John Nee and John Dunne. Played the character Moses Moran
1990
Big Medicine Galway Arts Festival. Children’s show written, directed and performed by Little John Nee. Music by Mary O Sullivan. Design by Tom Conroy.
Treasure Island Macnas written by Trish Forde, directed by Rod Goodhall Songs by Little John Nee and Declan Gibbons. Played the part of Jim Hawkins
1989
Tir Foai Thonn Macnas parade and spectacle Galway. ”Old Man” and “Best Man.”
Alice in Wonderland Macnas, Galway. “White Rabbit.”
1988
High Spirits Film written and directed by Neil Jordan. “Gatekeeper”
Gulliver Macnas, Galway. “Bad-mouthed Jester” in the Galway Arts Festival Parade and Dublin Millenium parade. “Princess” in the show.
1987
Reefer and the Model Film written and directed by Joe Comerford. “Boy Soldier”.
You like My Hair? Cibeal Festival, Co. Kerry. Original comedy show for children written and performed by Little John Nee The Big Game “Mayo Goalkeeper” at Macnas G.A.A. performance, Connacht final.
Doc Marten Meets Eternity Original one-man comedy and songs written and performed by Little John Nee Co. Kerry - Cibeal Festival, Kenmare. Co. Galway - Nuns Island Arts Centre, Galway.
1986
Pyjamaraja Street theatre performed throughout Ireland devised and performed by Little John Nee Mary Coughlin in the Olympia Performed as “Charlie Chaplin” and as “Mary’s Alter-Ego.”
Doc Marten meets Eternity written and performed by Little John Nee at Nuns Island Arts Centre, Galway.
Macnas New Years Pageant Streets of Galway
1985
Beauty and the Beast – Adapted by Fergus Fay directed by Mary Ryan Pooka Childrens’ Theatre, Damer Hall, Dublin. Played “the comic servant boy”
Wurra Worra Wishna (from the Seaumus Mac Manus short story) written and directed by Mary Murphy Pooka Children’s Theatre. Played “the leprechaun.”
Fionn and the Big man written by John Dunne directed by Julian Plunkett Dillon for Fairytale Factory toured Dublin Schools. Played “Little Man”
1984
SS..Grr..Gotcha! Written and directed by Mary Murphy. Toured Dublin schools and at Damer Hall Stephens Green. King Gizmo and the Wizard Written by Fergus Fay. Directed by Britta Smith. Pooka Childrens’ Theatre, Damer Hall, Dublin. Played several characters
How Far to Bethlehem? Written and directed by Mary Murphy. Pooka Childrens’ Theatre, Damer Hall, Dublin. Played several characters
Grapevine Arts Centre Various cabaret shows at Project Arts Centre and Kilkenny Arts Festival
1983
Performed in various street shows and improvisations as “Charlie Chaplin” on Grafton Street, Dublin, solo and in partnerships with Franz Sheahy, Pom Boyd, Raymond Keane and Charlie O’ Neill
In Ruthless Pursuit of Fun a Grapevine Arts centre collaboration with the SFX, In Dublin Magazine and many others at SFX played the character of Bridie Gallagher
The Time Cupboard written and directed by Pom Boyd Grapevine Arts Centre Touring Theatre, touring halls and festivals throughout Ireland including an Arts Council of Northern Ireland tour of community venues in Belfast. Played several characters
Rantobotamus Written and directed by Mary Murphy. Pooka Children’s Theatre, Damer Hall, Dublin. Played the Silent Clown
Reggae Toasting, with the Operator at the T.V. Club, Dublin.
1982
Appeared at Dalston Junction Alternative Cabaret London, performing original poems as “the Zen Mc Gonagall.”
Returned to Ireland to perform street theatre as “the Zen Mc Gonagall.”
1977-81
London: Worked sporadically on building sites, lived in squats, wrote poetry
Roadie for the “Steel and Skin Band.” Rehearsed with East End heavy metal band.
Immersed in alternative culture and anarchic creative forms.
1976
Played dancehalls with band “Hemlock.” Later this year left “Hemlock” and school to form Donegal’s first punk band, “The Petrol Bombs” - a one-man band. Read Kerouac and hitched around Donegal.
Six months as a printers apprentice working primarily on a “Thompson” letterpress
1975
Joined established band “Hemlock” as a singer. Played some original songs alongside Hendrix, Rory Gallagher, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, blues and pop on the Donegal dancehall circuit. Inspired by the theatrics of Bowie and Peter Gabriel, created the character “Sparky Flash.”
1974
Singing with glam rock group “Ambro,” winning second prize in the St. Conals Mental Hospital talent competition. “Ambro” merged with progressive rock band “fragile” and became “Ambragile” before splitting up and reforming as the rockabilly “Slick Harry Flash.”
1973
First year at St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny. Formed band “Stable Rock” played at concerts.
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The Plays
The Residency
Project supported by PEACE III Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by Donegal County Council
