At the end of January 2021 we put a call out for writers to submit short plays, 5 to 10 minutes long, that we could film and share on our social media platforms. We had over 50 plays submitted and chose 6 in all to turn into short films. The plays were filmed in April and May 2021 and shared for free online during summer 2021. In addition to the six filmed dramas we also produced these four audio dramas which were first broadcast on Highland Radio on Mon 16 to Fri 20 August 2021 and made available to listen on demand on our website from Fri 20 August 2021.
Save Our Ice
In this comedy drama an alien visits with a warning that if global warming is not averted the ice caps will melt and unleash long buried alien invaders with one mission in mind – eat the humans!
Written by SM Smyth
Directed by Ronan Carr
Cast:
The Pressydent: John D Ruddy
Silver Girl: Niamh Langan
Grown up Spokesperson: Anne Gallagher
The Voice Over: Binky Beaumont
Recorded at The Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny
Produced by An Grianán Theatre
With the kind support of The Arts Council of Ireland and The Donegal County Council
About the author
Seamus Smyth: Novelist, playwright, songwriter, composer, cartoon movie maker, entrepreneur, environmentalist, horse breeder, upholsterer, builder, tomato inspector, equestrian products manufacturer, crossword compiler, retailer, sales, tyre fitter, boatman, steel fixer, carpenter, plumber, landscape gardener….Worked on building sites in Holland, Germany, UK, Ireland. Born and raised on Belfast’s Falls Rd during The Troubles. No formal education.
J.A.D.E.
In a future where artificial intelligence uses algorithms to determine job placement a librarian is offered a very, very unexpected promotion.
Written by Patrick Hull
Directed by Ronan Carr
Cast:
J.A.D.E.: Geoff Coke
Angela: Valerie Bryce
About the author
Patrick Hull was born in London, grew up in Donegal, and is now based in Zagreb. His work has previously been featured on RTÉ Radio 1’s “Sunday Miscellany” and was shortlisted in Listowel Writers’ Week competitions. He is currently head coach of the Croatian Celts Gaelic football team and working on a play based on the life and death of Stjepan Radić.
Jack
A good Samaritan tries to help a young homeless man.
Written by Sam Ó Fearraigh
Directed by Ronan Carr
Cast:
Jack: Finn Carr
The Good Samaritan: Maggie Hannon
Cafe Manager: Sebastian Melmoth
About the author
Sam Ó Fearraigh is a writer and theatre-maker from Gort a’Choirce in the Donegal Gaeltacht. He works in both English and Irish. His poetry and short fiction have appeared in Poblachd nam Bàrd, Green Carnations | Glas na Gile, Splonk, ROPES, and the forthcoming anthology Bláth na dTulach from Éabhlóid. In 2020, Sam was commissioned to create a short play in Irish for the Ceangal | Dolen conference of minority-language theatre-makers. That play, Balbháin, as well as other works for performance, is available to watch online. Sam is a member of Aerach.Aiteach.Gaelach, a collective of queer Irish-language artists.
Scent of Burma
It’s amazing what you can order for home delivery these days.
Written by Brian Walsh
Directed by Ronan Carr
Cast:
Brenda: Anne Gallagher
Marty: Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhrighde
About the author
Brian Walsh lives in Letterkenny. His play, Is There Anybody There? has had productions in West Sussex, Belfast and Dublin while his play, The Wife, the Cat and all the Other Stuff is due to be performed later this year in both England and Ireland. He is delighted that An Grianán Theatre has decided to record this short piece. He does not presently own an elephant.
Recorded at The Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny
Produced by An Grianán Theatre
With the kind support of The Arts Council of Ireland and The Donegal County Council
