PAST SHOWS
'DES' 2026
Written by Brian Campbell
Starring : Jimmy Doran
Directed by Tony Devlin
Sound Design – Garth McConaghie
Lighting Design – Mary Tumilty
Stage Manager – Jordan Nelson
Synopsis:
West Belfast, 1966. Radical priest Fr Des Wilson is posted to the parish of Ballymurphy - a move intended to silence this 'troublesome cleric'; instead, it was a move that would define him.
Shocked by the abject poverty and sensing that the church has abandoned its flock, Des moves out of the comforts and confines of the parochial house, to live amongst the community he has been placed there to serve.
This powerful play follows the emergence of one of Belfast's most inspirational leaders, as he rails against the church establishment whilst fighting for the civil rights and liberties of the people.
*Originally produced on 29th March 2000 by Dubblejoint Theatre Company at the Theatre on the Rock, West Belfast and written by the late Brian Campbell*
SNOW WHITE 2025
Written by Neil Keery
Directed by Fionnuala Kennedy
Starring : Neil Keery, Vicky Allen, Maria Connolly, Debra Hill, David Murphy
Set Design : Cathan McRoberts
Costume Design : Rosie McCleland
Sound Design & Music : Katie Richardson
Lighting Design : Ciaran Bagnall
Fergus Wakala-Kelly : Audio Visuals
Synopsis:
THE PEOPLE'S PANTO IS BACK, BACK, BACK AGAIN!!!
Starring the fabulous, the famous, the fantastic FAIRY UP LIQUID (try saying that five times fast), join Brassneck Theatre Company at St Comgall's this Christmas for our spectacular version of 'SNOW WHITE'!
Book now to see the best panto in West Belfast!
(Alright, the only panto in West Belfast, but here... still the best!)
FIRESTICK MCCANN'S SILENT NIGHT
Written by Paddy McDonnell
Directed by Tony Devlin
Synopsis:
Join Brassneck Theatre Company & Paddy McDonnell this Christmas at The Roddy's, as we follow West Belfast's own loveable and legendary rebel, Fire-Stick McCann, in yet another sticky situation on Christmas Eve, that will have you ho ho ho'ing all the way home!!!
THE TUNNEL 2025
Written & Directed by Terry George
Starring : Marty McCann, Vincent Higgins, Ciaran Nolan, Chris Corrigan, Andy Doherty, Cillian Lengahan, Oisín Thompson
Set & Lighting Design : Ciaran Bagnall
Costume Design : Rosie McCleland
Sound Design : Garth McConaghie
Lighting Design : Ronan McManus
Production Manager : Rory Casey
Stage Manager: Codie Morrisson
Synopsis:
Long Kesh prison camp - 1976.
Heavy construction rattles the political status prison hut. On the other side of the wall, a dreaded new prison complex is being built.
‘Criminalisation’ is on its way for the men behind the wire…
A tunnel breakout is planned.
Some are escaping to rejoin the war, others want to flee, all are desperate to survive. Are they clawing their way to freedom or digging their own graves???
Sleeping Beauty 2024
Written by Neil Keery
Directed by Fionnuala Kennedy & Tony Devlin
Starring : Neil Keery, Vicky Allen, Sharon Duffy, Rosie McCleland, Darren Franklin
Set Design : Cathan McRoberts
Costume Design : Rosie McCleland
Sound Design & Music : Katie Richardson
Lighting Design : Ronan McManus
Fergus Wakala-Kelly : Audio Visuals
Synopsis:
Following the massive success of 'Cinderella' in 2023, the first ever 'People’s Panto', Brassneck Theatre Company are proud to present their spectacular version of “Sleeping Beauty” by Neil Keery!
‘Our Ora' is living her absolute best life with her #1 auntie, 'Fairy Up-Liquid'! Wee Ora loves nothing more than busking around the town, showcasing her incredible singing talent. However, as her birthday fast approaches, 'Wicked Witch Mallory' plans to end Ora’s career by putting her to sleep for 100 years!
Can Fairy Up-Liquid tear herself away from watching Sailor Twift videos long enough to foil the Wicked Witch’s plans? Will that strangely robotic pop-star, Sailor, magically materialise out of the phone and save the day?? Or will Maleficent Mallory succeed in her evil plans, leaving Our Ora snoring away for the next century???
It's the same fairytale that everyone knows and loves, sprinkled with that unique, signature Brassneck twist. Book Now to see what audiences last year said was “The best panto in town”, “had us in stitches from start to finish” & “an undisputed highlight of the season”!
REBEL WITHOUT A CLAUS 2024
Written by & Starring : Paddy McDonnell
Director : Tony Devlin
Stage Manager : Caoimhe McGee
Synopsis:
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all round the house, not a creature was stirring, not even… BIG FIRESTICK MCCANN! He’s stuck in custody up at Antrim Crime Suite for a crime he didn’t commit! (Well... according to him anyway!)
Will our rebel get out in time to spend Christmas with his family? Can he convince the peelers that he’s actually an innocent man?? Or has Firestick McCann messed up BIG STYLE this year???
Join Brassneck Theatre Company & Paddy McDonnell at The Roddy's this December for a Cracking Christmas Crime Caper that will have you ho ho ho'ing all the way home!
Anthem for Dissatisfaction/2024
Written by Gina Donnelly
& Directed by Tony Devlin & Gina Donnelly
Starring: Emily Lamey, Simon Sweeney, Roddy McCorley Heritage Centre/Smock Alley Theatre (as a part of Dublin Fringe)
Synopsis:
Irish Twins" Sarah and Jamie are about to hit 30. But before they do, they're reliving their greatest hits; ‘Credit crunch’, ‘Austerity’ and ‘Free School Meals’… Benefits Britain never sounded so good!
Jamie is the baby of the family. He has absolutely no tact, no patience and no filter. But where did that ever get anyone? Sarah is 11 months and 4 days older which means she’s smarter, she’s cooler and she’s right about everything.
She was right that Oasis were freedom, she was right that Manic Street Preachers were poetry, and she was right to be worried when Dad lost his job. And in 2023 everything’s going wrong again, the bills keep going up and the opportunities keep going down. Sarah and Jamie aren’t two kids in one bedroom anymore, the future is uncertain and there’s only so long you can hang on to the past.
A euphoric, working-class celebration of the power of live music, teenage angst, sibling rivalry and love in this electric and hilarious, coming-of-age anthem for anyone who ever wanted more.
PROJECT CHILDREN / 2024
Written by Fionnuala Kennedy
& Directed by Tony Devlin
Starring: Nicky Harley, James Doran, Mary Moulds, Terence Keeley, Laura Hughes, Mary-Kate Page & Sally McKinney
Synopsis:
NEW YORK, 1975.
Patrick and Denis Mulcahy, County Cork natives and police officers in the NYPD, watch news footage of the violence in the north of Ireland... And ‘Project Children’ is born.
Over the next 40 years, 23,000 Catholic and Protestant children would travel from Ireland to America during the Summer months, as respite from the conflict.
Belfast playwright, Fionnuala Kennedy, has documented this extraordinary intervention through interviews with participants, host families and the passionate volunteers involved with ‘Project Children…’ those who gave their time, so that young people might have the opportunity to see another world outside of the conflict, creating a better future for all.
'Project Children' is a powerful reminder of how activism and radical kindness can positively change the lives of children and young people'
CINDERELLA / 2023
Written by Neil Keery
& Directed by Tony Devlin
Starring: Neil Keery, Philippa O’Hara, Simon Sweeney, Conor Cupples, Vicky Allen, Orla Graham
Synopsis:
Cinders leads a miserable existence in a TikTok house ruled by her two nasty sisters ‘The Karens’. They have built a huge social media following by forcing Cinders to churn out viral content 24/7 using crazy filters to make themselves look beautiful… even though IRL they are two untalented millbegs!
The world’s biggest influencer @TheHandsomePrince is throwing a massive party in town to find inspiring, new content-creators. The problem? The Karen’s have banned Cinders from going anywhere and if she ever leaves the house, they will have her CANCELLED… forever!
Hope springs eternal when Cinders’ Fairy Godmother, Fairy-Up-Liquid arrives to save the day! Along with her bestie Buttons, (the only good craic in her life), Fairy-Up-Liquid tries to help Cinders escape The Karens’ clutches and attend the life-changing Influencer Bash!
Will The Karens get their comeuppance? Will Cinderella be cancelled forever? And will someone finally explain to Fairy Up-liquid what the heck TikTok actually is?!
Unlike any version of Cinderella you will have ever seen before, with all sorts of twists and turns on the traditional tale, this is a Brassneck Christmas treat simply not to be missed!
PROJECT CHILDREN / 2023
Written by Fionnuala Kennedy
& Directed by Tony Devlin
Starring: Nicky Harley, James Doran, Mary Moulds, Terence Keeley, Laura Hughes
Synopsis:
NEW YORK, 1975.
Patrick and Denis Mulcahy, County Cork natives and police officers in the NYPD, watch news footage of the violence in the north of Ireland... And ‘Project Children’ is born.
Over the next 40 years, 23,000 Catholic and Protestant children would travel from Ireland to America during the Summer months, as respite from the conflict.
Belfast playwright, Fionnuala Kennedy, has documented this extraordinary intervention through interviews with participants, host families and the passionate volunteers involved with ‘Project Children…’ those who gave their time, so that young people might have the opportunity to see another world outside of the conflict, creating a better future for all.
'Project Children' is a powerful reminder of how activism and radical kindness can positively change the lives of children and young people'
MY CORONA / 2023
Written by Pearse Elliott
& Directed by Tony Devlin
Starring: Caroline Curran
Synopsis:
From the people who brought you 'The Holy, Holy Bus', 'Man in the Moon' & 'A Night with George', ‘MY CORONA' is a hilarious new show by award-winning playwright Pearse Elliott, that packs a powerful punch!
Starring the incomparable Caroline Curran,' My Corona' follows nurse Donna as she navigates her way through the day-to-day challenges of working in a care home during these unprecedented times.
A no-nonsense, modern-day hero, with a cracking sense of humour, Donna encapsulates everything about our wonderful NHS that is truly worth fighting for.
Hilarious and heartfelt, 'MY CORONA' will have audiences rolling with laughter and clapping for the real superheroes of the last few years; our incredible Health Workers!
CONVERSATIONS WITH ANGELS / 2021
Written by Maria Connolly
& Directed by Tony Devlin
Starring: Maria Connolly, Louise Matthews, Anna Healy, Mary Jordan, Mary O'Loan, Maggie Cronin
Designed by: Fionntain O'Meallain
Synopsis:
Thousands have turned up in Belfast today for the chance to meet world famous Angel Medium, Tori Adams.
The faithful flock firmly believe, that they are guided through life by their own guardian angels. In meeting Tori today, they hope to speak to their angels and if they're really lucky, maybe even get a wee message back from them...
From the people who Brought you 'The Holy, Holy Bus', 'Man In The Moon' & 'A Night With George', 'CONVERSATIONS WITH ANGELS’ is an hilarious, uplifting and ultimately inspiring new play which will leave all of us feeling that little bit closer to the angels...
SIX / 2021
6 x Short Films
6 x Writers, 6 x Directors, 6 x Actors
1 Contained Location
Synopsis:
6 individuals. Who they are, why they are here and what the location represents, we will find out over the course of six exhilarating minutes!
Filmed daily over the course of a week, ‘SIX’ is an incredibly bold challenge for six directors, six writers and 36 actors to explore and express their craft through the medium of film, with each episode presenting an entirely different yet ultimately entertaining storyline.
A bELFast Christmas / 2020
Written by: Tony Devlin
Directed by: Tony Devlin
Starring: BNY, Keith Singleton, Christina Nelson, Debra Hill, Joe Page, Michael Conlon & Tony Devlin
Designed by: Alison McCrudden
Synopsis:
It’s Christmas Eve and Santa has crash landed his sleigh in the Falls Park. So Mrs Claus quickly dispatches her head elf, MistleJoe McJingles to find Santa, fix the sleigh and deliver the last of the presents. There's one teeny weeny problem however... MistleJoe McJingles is an absolute buck eejit! 🤪
Can MistleJoe team up with the Fairy of the Falls to defeat the Wicked Witch of the West and save Christmas for all the children? Find out in our epic festive film!🎅🤶🎄
A Christmas Tale / 2019
Written by: Tony Devlin & Alison McCrudden
Directed by: Tony Devlin
Starring: BNY, Maria Connolly, Antoinette Morelli & Belfast Girls
Designed by: Malcolm Smith
Synopsis:
Its Christmas Eve and all through the house, there isn’t a sound, not even a…Wait! One little girl is still wide awake! Luckily for her however, Santa is on hand to read her a Christmas story…(well, several in actual fact) in the hope that she will nod off to sleep before Christmas morning!
Join Brassneck and Brassneck Youth for a magical, fun-filled show for ALL the family.
SOMETHING IN THE AIR / 2019
Written by: Laurence McKeown
Directed by: Tony Devlin
Starring: Roma Tomelty, Julia Deardon, Rosena Brown & Mary Jordan
Designed by: Conleth White
Synopsis:
‘On the 15th August 1969, Bombay Street in West Belfast was burned to the ground.
To escape the mayhem, hundreds of families fled south to refugee camps like Gormanstown... but one young woman lost more than just her home...
Fifty years on, Rosie is forced to confront the events of that summer, in a way in which she never could have imagined...’
A STATION ONCE AGAIN / 2018
Written by: Tony Devlin
Directed by: Tony Devlin
Starring: Marty Maguire & Jo Donnelly
Designed by: Conleth White
Synopsis:
Triple FM is back on the air, broadcasting loud and proud from the back of beyond! Join our madcap hosts Fra & Bridie as they take us on a hilarious journey down memory lane, looking over the last 30 years of Féile An Phobail!
There’ll be laughs, there’ll be tears and maybe even a wee riot along the way… Bring yer wellies folks! It’s gonna be a mad one!!!
GIBRALTAR STRAIT / 2018
Written by: Hugh Stoddart
Directed by: Tony Devlin
Starring: Jimmy Doran, Séainín Brennan, Paddy Buchanon, Danielle Maggennis, Rhodri Lewis
Synopsis:
On 6 March 1988, three members of the I.R.A were killed by the S.A.S in Gibraltar. This play is a powerful, verbatim account of eyewitness testimonies to the events as well as oral accounts from the security forces and families of those involved.
THE BLUE BOY OF GLENMORE / 2017
Written by: Joe Brennan
Directed by: Tony Devlin
Designed by: Ciaran Bagnall
Music by: Donal O’Connor
Starring: Jimmy Doran, Christine Clare, Gerard McCabe, Marty Maguire
Synopsis:
‘Winter 1978. Cooley Mountains, Ireland.
Jemmy John is a tortured soul. The sheep on the glen and the farm are his life but his younger sister Colleen yearns for something much more. With the help of a local car mechanic, Colleen is determined to escape Glenmore for the chance at a better life... but her older brother is having none of it. The life-long conflict between these sibling rivals is the catalyst that ignites the shocking events that unfold.
A haunting, absorbing and sensational dark-comedy, 'The Blue Boy of Glenmore' is a truly unmissable piece of theatre from the multi award-winning 'Brassneck Theatre Company' who brought you, 'The Holy, Holy Bus', 'Man in the Moon' & 'A Night with George'.
ON OUR WAY TO LISBON / 2017
Written by: Patrick Prior
Directed by: Jim Dunk
Starring: Pat Abernethy, Dave Marsden
Synopsis:
On Our Way to Lisbon (or The Italian Job) tells the story of how, in 1967, Glasgow Celtic became the first British team to win the European Cup with victory over the mighty Inter Milan. Two fans look back and fondly recreate how the Bhoys in Green and white beat the hardest team in the world and draped Europe in green, white and gold.
The whole mad and magnificent campaign comes to life as the two supporters become everything from a vicious Swiss football team to the entire population of Lisbon.
Put on those scarves, dust off your passport and come with us once again as Celtic steam-roll over the best teams in Europe to become the immortal Lisbon Lions.
CAROL’S CRISSMUS / 2016
Written by: Stephen G Large
Directed by: Tony Devlin
Designed by: Conleth White
Music by: Pat Gribbon
Starring: Ciaran Bartlett, Chris Simpson, Diona Doherty, Sean Hegarty, Paddy McDonnell
Synopsis:
‘Carol Marley is a loan shark who is feared by the local community. As she goes to bed on Christmas Eve she is visited by her dead husband Mickey Marley, who informs her that three ghosts will be paying her a wee visit tonight. As Carol falls into a deep sleep, chaos and hilarity ensue as the three crazy spirits show her all the misery that she has heaped upon the community. Will Carol take this second chance to make things better? Can the spirits make her see sense? Or is Carol Marley just too set in her ways to change?? Come and find out for yourselves in this hilarious re-working of Charles Dickens' classic, 'A Christmas Carol'! Bah bloody humbug’!!!
BELFAST RISING / 2016
Written & Directed by: Tony Devlin
Designed by: Conleth White
Music by: Donal O'Connor
Starring: Séainín Brennan & Tony Devlin
Synopsis:
‘Belfast, 1916; an industrial powerhouse at the heart of an empire. A city immersed in the revolutionary and radical politics of it’s time that would drive a number of it’s citizens to strike for their country's freedom.
Through story, song and visuals, 'Belfast Rising' uncovers the legacy of the women and men connected with the city who would rally to their country’s cause, and strike at the heart of the British empire in pursuit of their independence’.
This powerful new production from the multi-award-winning Brassneck Theatre Company, explores the impact that Belfast had upon the Easter Rising of 1916.
CHÉ GUEVARA’S NIGHT OFF / 2016
Written by: Conor Grimes & Alan McKee
Directed by: Tony Devlin
Designed by: Conleth White
Music by: Pat Gribbon & Ryan Molloy
Starring: Ryan Molloy, Séainín Brennan, Conor Grimes, Paddy Buchanon, Seamus O'Hara, Connlaith Pickering
Synopsis:
‘A plane has been fogbound in the west of Ireland and the world's most wanted man is onboard. Ché Guevara wants only one thing… a night off. Not a bit of it! There's a cow to be calved, a dance to organise, a motorbike to repair and a bit of love in the air.
Join Ché and the locals for a wild night's craic, with fiddles, fugitives and a drop of the black stuff.
Starring Broadway and West End star Ryan Molloy (Jersey Boys) and from the multi-award winning Brassneck Theatre Company who brought you the smash hit shows 'The Holy, Holy Bus', 'Man in the Moon' and 'A Night with George’!
THE HOLY, HOLY BUS / 2014
Written by: Pearse Elliott
Directed by: Tony Devlin
Designed by: Ciaran Bagnall
Starring: Stella McCusker, Roisin Gallagher, Caroline Curran, Claire Connor
Synopsis:
‘There is a bus that leaves a West Belfast parish once a year tosee the holy sites of Ireland… the locals refer to it as, 'The Holy Holy Bus'! We follow four of the female faithful on a journey of personal pilgrimage which by the time they have returned home, will have changed all of their lives forever.
A hilariously madcap adventure about love, hope, happiness and faith, 'The Holy, Holy Bus' will have you laughing, crying and even praying for some divine inspiration along the way’!
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE… SO IT IS’! / 2013
Written by: Conor Grimes & Alan McKee
Directed by: Tony Devlin
Designed by: Brassneck
Starring: Conor Grimes , Alan McKee, Katie Tumelty
Synopsis:
‘The local community have been saving all year with the Christmas club and now want their money to buy presents. However, there’s a financial crisis at the Christmas club and it’s left to the manager, Georgie Brady, to tell them that all their money’s gone.
Not unreasonably, everybody wants to rip Georgie limb from limb and before long she finds herself wishing that she’d never been born. Luckily for Georgie, she has a guardian angel, Clarty. Unluckily for Georgie, Clarty still hasn’t earned his wings because he’s a clampet.
Can Clarty save Georgie, can Georgie save Clarty and can the Christmas savings club save their Christmas savings, saving Christmas? Remember, every time a bell rings an angel earns his wings… or they’re calling last orders at the bar’!
LEMONADE SANDWICH / 2013
Written by: Mick Draine
Directed by: Tony Devlin
Designed by: Ciaran Bagnall
Starring: Gerard Jordan
Synopsis:
‘In 2010, five boxers from Northern Ireland made it to the Commonwealth Games finals. Lemonade Sandwich tells the amazing true-life story of one of their trainers as he attempts to make a round-the-world trip to Delhi to watch his man fight for Gold.
We follow his fall from grace as a successful amateur to a life of drink, drugs and violence, and then watch as he attempts to turn his life around to become the UK Body For Life Champion and a successful boxing coach’.
MAN IN THE MOON / 2013
Written by: Pearse Elliott
Directed by: Tony Devlin
Designed by: Ciaran Bagnall
Starring: Ciaran Nolan
Synopsis:
A darkly comedic rollercoaster, Man In The Moon is the tender story of one man’s resolve to overcome the worst that life has to throw at him. Sean Doran has recently been fired from his dead-end job. To make matters worse, his girlfriend has left him, taken their child, and the bank has just repossessed his house.
And so, we find him alone by the Half Moon Lake trying to fashion sense of his recent run of bad luck. Over the course of one moonlit evening Sean takes us on a soul-searching journey through life, love and death, via his past, present and future.
THE SWEETY BOTTLE / 2013
Written by: Joe Brennan & Gerard Brennan
Directed by: Tony Devlin
Designed by: Ciaran Bagnall
Starring: Marty Maguire, Katy Tumelty/Carol Moore, Gordon Fulton, Lalor Roddy, Gerard Jordan, Ciaran Nolan
Synopsis:
‘Belfast in the 1970s. At the rear of Brennan’s sweet shop, a popular shebeen is in full swing. This secret drinking den is an oasis where punters come to escape the troubles around them and to exorcise their own personal demons.
Embark with us on a voyage to an era where the city and its people never ceased to find humour in even the darkest of days. An hilariously nostalgic trip down memory lane, The Sweety Bottle is sure to have you crying with laughter, as we remember everything great about Belfast during the rare auld times’.
BASRA BOY / 2012
Written by: Rosemary Jenkinson
Directed by: Tony Devlin
Designed by: Niall Rea
Starring: John Travers
Synopsis:
‘Speedy and Stig have been best friends since their first slingshots and proudly march with the East Sons of Ulster flute band… but now Stig wants to leave Speedy’s dead-end street fights to fight in Afghanistan.
What will become of this friendship forged in the backstreets of Belfast? In this extraordinary high-octane, roller coaster piece of theatre, we are propelled through the ups and downs of two young boys poised on the cusp of adulthood’.
1981 / 2011
Written, Directed by and Starring: Tony Devlin
Designed by: Sean Mac Seain & Eddie Robinson
Synopsis:
‘The 1981 Hunger Strike, in which ten men gave their lives in the struggle for political status, irreversibly shaped the political developments for decades to come. In this unique piece of theatre, we are given a deep insight into the lives of each of the ten men as to who they really were.
Through music, song, visuals and performance, this one person show takes us on an extraordinary journey, of how ten very ordinary men shook the world from their prison cells. An ultimately uplifting piece of theatre through tragedy of Shakespearean proportions, ’1981′ is the story behind the legacy of the hungerstrike. The equality that we all enjoy today… the laughter of our children. Written and Performed by Tony Devlin’.
FISHERS OF MEN / 2011
Written by: Pearse Elliott
Directed by: Tony Devlin
Designed by: Stuart Marshall
Starring: Ian Beattie, Gerard Jordan, Emma Little
Synopsis:
‘PABLO CASSIDY has been exposed as the jewel in the British intelligence crown in their war against republicans. Exiled by these allegations, he is holed up in the middle of nowhere with his only company an African grey Parrot called Chucky. Pablo finds every sound in the wild, country night un-nerving. He is tracked to the cottage by a young female journalist, but continues to deny all the allegations. A mysterious local poacher then arrives in the middle of the night seeking help. Is this stranger an local idiot or an assassin playing a deadly game…’
A NIGHT WITH GEORGE / 2009
Written by: Brenda Murphy
Directed by: Tony Devlin
Designed by: Niall Rea
Starring: Donna O'Connor
Synopsis:
‘Not every woman gets to spend a night with George Clooney, but Bridie Murphy does! Let’s face it, Bridie’s life hasn’t beenall parties and premieres like George’s, but it’s a life full of drama nonetheless. Over the course of one evening, she takes George on the journey of her life. From the terrible lows to the hilarious highs,and charts the courseto her unlikely future.
A Night With George is a new and indigenous piece ofwriting, brought to you by West Belfast’s own, Brassneck Theatre Company. With the all-important razor sharp black Belfast humour, this hilarious nightof theatre is sure to leave everyone wishing that they too could spend ‘A Night With George’!
