#ANTIGONE

Drama on Newstalk presents “The Man Who Talks To Statues”. An original radio drama that tells the story of Darryl, a thirty-year-old Corkonian. Darryl crashes his father’s car, following which he goes on a magic realist road trip to Limerick and Dublin, encountering characters ranging from suspicious locals to deceased celebrities and historical figures. Darryl has a unique capacity for speaking to statues and during the story he interacts with characters such as Richard Harris, Phil Lynott and Molly Malone. Darryl’s road trip includes acts of hedonism, aggression, denial and punch-drunk self-reflection. He is more than a little bit lost and we’re never quite sure what’s real or what’s imagined or, indeed, if it’s salvation or an escape route he’s looking for. Written and performed by Shane Casey (The Young Offenders) and produced by Ruth Hayes (Whispers) The Man Who Talks To Statues is a contemporary story of a young man lost. Reflecting a sense of disconnect and disenfranchisement which is so often present in young men in today’s Irish culture. According to the report by the Men’s Health forum published in 2020 by Dr Paula Devine and Dr Erin Early under the title Men’s Health in Numbers (MHFI pg 16.) ‘The mental health of males in the Republic of Ireland and NI is of increasing concern.’ Though mental health is one of the underlying themes, The Man Who talks to Statues aims to bring us on an entertaining and energetic journey with the main character DARRYL. ‘The Man Who Talks To Statues’ was written and performed by Shane Casey. Produced by Ruth Hayes. Directed by Brian Desmond. Sound Design and Sound Engineer Cormac O Connor. Additional Cast Michael Sands and Ruth Hayes The programme was produced with funding from the Coimisiún na Meán Sound and Vision scheme.

‘Murdered while ploughing a field in Meath, belonging to his uncle, Mark Clinton was the victim of a widespread campaign by ex-British soldiers to grab land and re-divide it before the dawn of the Irish Free State. A group of local volunteers spent the next three months (and beyond) avenging his death.’   Synopsis:  This is based on a true story from May 1920 (ending in 1923) that shows the chaotic social landscape in Ireland at the time. This is a commemorative piece to remember some of the atrocities that happened in the lead up to the inception of the Irish Free State. It’s a glimpse into a country caught in a ‘leadership vacuum’, where law and order were a lot different than today. The story starts in 1920, but ends on the 6th of January, 1923, when the volunteers who avenged Mark’s death, finally got a land governed by their ‘own’.  'The Murder Of Mark Clinton’ was Produced by Jonathan Farrelly and was funded by Coimisiún Na Meán with the Television Licence Fee.   Acting Credits: Stephen Gillick, John Grant, Dara Swaine, Mark Smyth, Seamus Waters, Mark Coffee, Gary Kenna, Amrit Sandhu and Michael Ryan.

Set in an Irish coastal town threatened by sea level rise, the story follows two researchers tasked with interviewing the remaining residents about the area's past, present and uncertain future. The researchers hold opposing views about the importance of their work and, as they learn more about the people they meet, their differences of opinion reach breaking point. It is a story set in the near future but very much drawing on the concerns of today, delving into contemporary debates around our relationship with nature, activism, migration and the challenges facing rural communities. Changing Coasts was performed by Kwaku Fortune (Normal People, Hidden Assets), Geraldine McAlinden (The Last Rifleman, Bad Sisters), Maria McDermottroe (The Dead, Glenroe), Paul Murphy (Aisha), Brian Mulvey (Foundation) and Aleesha Joe (Bad Sisters). Sound recording was by Stephen McHale, music by Emer Landers and editing by Rob Flynn. Changing Coasts is a Bear Print Media production funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the television license fee.