Drama on Newstalk

Après is a new and riveting psychological thriller radio drama written and produced by Emily Gillmor Murphy and directed by Ciaran Gallagher. A warning that strong language is featured in this drama, as well as themes of violence and coercive control. The production stars Marty Breen (Three Sisters Dublin Theatre Festival, BITCH, Dublin Fringe Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe - Winner Best Performer, Dublin Fringe Festival and Say Nothing FX. Marty was recently announced to join the cast of the National Theatre’s upcoming production of The Playboy of the Western World premiering in London later this year) and Seán Doyle (Normal People Element Pictures, BBC & HULU, Bad Sisters Apple TV and The Dry Element Pictures and ITV Studios). Additional cast includes Evie May O’Brien, Joanna Kelly and Odhran McNulty. Peter Dunne of the internationally acclaimed horror-anthology podcast ‘Petrified’ served as script editor. About the Story What if you were trapped in the French Alps in the dead of night? What if the only sounds you could hear were those of the harsh winter wilderness and the not-so-distant avalanche bombs? What if you were afraid, truly afraid? Lee and Baz are a middle-aged married couple whose relaxing ski vacation is shattered by the revelation of Baz’s deepest secret. Desperate for forgiveness; he claims to still love Lee, but his mistakes and past choices are closing in on him just like the “controlled” avalanches that crash around them. Après charts the death of a relationship, but as the night grows darker and the wilderness more dangerous, the ghosts of their pasts can no longer be ignored. About the Creators Emily Gillmor Murphy and Ciarán Gallagher are co-founders of Ryots Productions (ryotsproductions.com), an Irish theatre company dedicated to telling stories in new and unique ways. Their previous audio work includes The Horror Writer (RTÉ Radio), We Need to Talk About the Ducks (Dublin City FM), They’re Only Stories (HeadStuff Podcast Studios) and BLIND (thelockinn.io). Après was made with the support of Coimisiún na Meán and the television licence fee.

Mmanwu is a radio drama that delves into the complexities of maternal struggle, mental health, and the clash between tradition and modernity. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Onitsha, Nigeria, the story follows Ada, a young widow grappling with the overwhelming grief of losing her husband, Bayo. Seeking refuge from the weight of her grief and the overwhelming responsibilities of motherhood, Ada returns to her father, Eze, in Onitsha. A man deeply rooted in Nigerian traditions, Eze offers both solace and conflict, pushing Ada towards conventional methods of coping with loss and raising her young son Zane. This clash between generations and ideologies forms the core of the drama, highlighting the struggle between individual healing and cultural expectations. Through poignant dialogue, music and evocative sound design, Mmanwu explores the depths of Ada's grief and her attempts to hold onto the remnants of her past. Her interactions with her father are rife with cultural references and deeply resonate with themes of identity, loss, and the struggle for personal autonomy within the confines of tradition. The audience will be taken on an intimate journey through Ada’s struggles in a thought provoking and entertaining drama. Mmanwu was written and directed by Dagogo Hart. Produced, recorded and edited by Alan Meaney. Music and additional sounds by Adam Garrett. The cast were Esther James, Sodiq Ajibola, Yomi Ogunyemi and Timothy Orimolusi. The programme was funded by Coimisiún na Meán, with the Television Licence Fee. Mmanwu is adapted from a stage play to an audio drama by its writer and director Dagogo Hart. Development of the script started as part of the Rachel Baptiste programme in Smock Alley theatre in 2022, and also as part of a residency in the Fringe Lab in 2022. In 2023 it was programmed in the Fringe Festival and the production was co-funded by Fishamble new play company and Fringe Labs as part of the Big Ambitions project. It was staged in The New Theatre in September 2023.

Sight Nor Sound Theatre and producer Alan Meaney bring you a comedy of pretence and playfulness in ‘Passengers’. Two people at very different moments in their lives end up beside each other in the VIP waiting lounge at the airport. They make small talk, share a beer, and unwilling to reveal their true selves, a game of mutual deception ensues. Stephen is a young man running away from his life to backpack in an exotic location. Helen is a former film star, hounded by paparazzi and attempting to seem ‘normal’ for a little while. They both, over the course of many beers in the lounge, divulge their untruths and enjoy each other's company. Stephen claims to be a rock star in a famous band with messy interpersonal relationships. Helen is claiming to be someone she is not too – a regular person who just resembles the film star she truly is. Cue some very real moments of self-discovery before fate and chance combine with two vastly contrasting outcomes 'Passengers’ was was written by Alan McMonagle, directed by Sight Nor Sound Theatre, and produced, recorded and edited by Alan Meaney. The cast were Rose Henderson and John Ruddy.  The programme was funded by Coimisiún na Meán, with the Television Licence Fee.

Drama on Newstalk presents THE COST OF LIVING, an original radio comedy-drama by Anna Merritt and Deborah Wiseman. The story is a heartfelt and humorous exploration of marital breakdown in a challenging financial landscape in the Ireland of today. Jen and Tony Tully’s twenty-six-year marriage is dead. The separation agreement is signed, only there is no new freedom for them to celebrate or no excitement at the prospect of new beginnings. Victims of the dire cost of living crisis, they have no choice but to continue to live under the same roof. Their cohabitation is rife with tension and a list of rules to manage household conflict isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. With no love, no money, and no space how can they possibly move on? THE COST OF LIVING was funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television Licence Fee. It was produced, written and directed by Anna Merritt & Deborah Wiseman. Sound production by Amy O’Dwyer. Jen is played by Mary Murray, Tony is played by Jed Murray, Otis is played by Cal O’Driscoll, Carol/Hilary played by Deborah Wiseman, Angie/Sue played by Deirdre Monaghan and Alan is played by Ciaran O’Grady.

The story of a great Irish poet and the teacher who helped her fear of speaking in public. Principal Anne sees a rolled up ball of paper fall out of Mary Ogun-Banwo's schoolbag. She opens it to reveal a beautiful poem, written fully in the Irish language. Reluctantly, Mary allows her to enter it the All Ireland Schools Poetry Competition and it gets to the final, where she’ll have to read it on live national television! Mary now realises she suffers from chronic stage fright, so Principal Anne sends her to study with unorthodox teacher and trained counsellor, James Jones, in order to help her delve into her past and figure out what’s holding her back. This is a story of a reluctant poet’s rise to win the All Ireland Schools Poetry Competition and the teachers who helped her overcome her stage fright by confronting her personal traumas. ‘Speak Through Your Silence' is broadcast on Newstalk on Sunday 17th November with repeat broadcast on Saturday 23rd November. More information on this programme can be found at: www.irishaudiodrama.com. Podcast available at newstalk.com/podcasts/drama-on-newstalk after the broadcast. ‘Speak Through Your Silence ’was produced by Jonathan Farrelly and Katerina Economides and was supported by Coimisiun na Mean through the television licence fee. Jonathan Farrelly is a writer and documentarian, specialising in sport and historical drama. Katerina Economides is a writer and Doctor of Humanities, specialising in Folklore, Myth and Future Studies.