2 May 2024
By Tony Forde
tony@TheCork.ie
Entertainment
New Year’s Eve 1979. Two strangers are thrown together at Inish Dúbh Lighthouse: Christy the Keeper, shining a ceaseless vigil for all at sea, and the young woman who does not want to be saved. Both have plans for the evening. Both seem to want the same thing. But as the storm rages and the tower door shuts, they must decide – to weather the storm together or take a leap of faith?
“I am excited to be back in the rehearsal room, after almost two years, working on this new version of A Safe Passage. A Safe Passage is my fifth play and the idea was born out of my stay at Galley Head Lighthouse in Co.Cork. After the premiere at the Cork Midsummer 2022, and from watching the US production of the play in New Hampshire (HatBox Theatre, October 2022), I made a decision to rework the text. The latest version, while it has the same premise and explores dark topics, does so with less of a heavy-hand, with more of a sense of play. I think this version gives us two characters that the audience will care about and I am excited to see them come to life at Cork Arts Theatre” says writer and actor, Irene Kelleher.
Irene is a writer and performer from Cork. Her first play, Mary & Me was published and toured extensively to critical acclaim and is also an RTE produced radio play. Well-known Leitrim actor, writer and director Seamus O’Rourke (Trad, Indigestion, From Under the Beds) plays Christy the Lighthouse Keeper. An actor, writer, director and poet, he has recently published his first book and his numerous acting credits including an RTE Best Actor nomination for his performance as John in Conor McPherson’s Shining City.
Directed by Geoff Gould (Philadelphia here I come, This Ebony Bird), A Safe Passage is a story of lost and found, of isolation, and the ultimate need for human connection.
Award-winning Blood in the Alley Theatre Company present A Safe Passage after its sold-out run at Cork Midsummer in 2022. Known for producing new and original work, the company has previously presented work by Irish playwrights including Conal Creedon and Michael Lovett. This is Irene Kelleher’s latest play to tour after critically acclaimed national and international tours of her one woman shows Gone Full Havisham and Mary& Me.
Director Geoff Gould
Cast Irene Kelleher, Seamus O’Rourke
Sound and Video Designer Cormac O’Connor
Set Designer Hannah Lane
Lighting Designer Tim Feehily
VENUE: CORK ARTS THEATRE
DATES: Tuesday 21st – Saturday 25th May @ 8pm TICKETS: €18