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The Little John Nee Residency
Drama
Thurs 13 to Sat 15 January 2011 at 8pm
The Mental
Little John Nee
Tickets: €10/€8
Misfit Joe Boyle struggles to find a safe place in the world, a journey that lead will him down a road of frustration, isolation, and ultimately breakdown.
In St. Conal’s, he becomes aware of past resident Seosamh MacGrainne, the Irish language writer, who spent the last thirty years of his life there. But whereas MacGrainne decided “Nothing would make me talk. I never spoke about the thing which was on my mind. I was defending my soul”, Joe wants to express his soul through music.
Above: left to right, Nuala Ni Chanainn, Laura Sheerin and Little John Nee in a scene from The Mental.
In telling this fictional story of an individual we also glimpse upon the lives of many of those who have lived and died in the asylum since its inception as a home for the county’s “lunatics, vagrants and idiots”.
Ultimately it’s a show about the human need to be seen and recognised by another person, the need to belong.
The Mental features original songs by Little John Nee and Laura Sheerin, as well as an original score by Laura and Nuala Ni Chanainn. The music is played live and covers a spectrum of musical styles from Sean Nos to New York Punk.
The Mental was first produced in 2006 by axis, Ballymun with support from the HSE North West, Foras Na Gaeilge and The Arts Council. This production is supported by PEACE III Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by Donegal County Council.
Written and directed by Little John Nee
Original score by Laura Sheeran and Nuala Ni Chanainn
Songs: ‘The Belle of Tir Conaill’, ‘Queen Bee’ and ‘The Happy Hour Band’ written by Little John Nee, ‘Jericho’ poem by Cathal O Searcaigh put to music by Nuala Ni Chanainn, The New York songs by The Mary Duffys.
Musicians: Laura Sheeran and Nuala Ni Chanainn
Original Lighting Design: Sinead Wallace
Set Designer: Mike Regan
Production Manager: Niall Cranney
Production Assistants: Annemarie Langan, Paul Kavanagh, Phil Ruddock
Production Photos: Paul McGuckin
Outreach Co-Ordinator: Kate Brown
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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
