Making Northern Ireland theatre accessible to all

The difference in working with Martin and Green Shoot than many other companies is one very important aspect, they are brave, and not frightened to take on projects that other companies might think are too controversial or even not commercial enough. 

Their advertising strategy is second to none. They are creative in their ideas of promoting that is not the usual and does not cost a fortune. For example, as the play was about Community Care Workers, Green Shoot suggested we do our first tech rehearsal to an audience of Community Care workers to gauge their reaction. This was a free event which we have no doubt paid off in the long run. Not only would they go out and spread the word, we as the actors and writers were confident that we had got it right as far as their real experience was concerned. This was vital for its future journey.

I have had the pleasure of working with Green Shoot Productions now on two occasions. First as an actor in Sam Millars powerful piece ‘Brothers in Arms’ and most recently in a directorial capacity, for Richard O’Rawe’s stirring play, ‘In The Name Of The Son’. Both these pieces were archetypal Green Shoot productions, in that they were new writing, based on subject matter particular to the North of Ireland.

Each was hugely successful in its own right and the kind of theatre that particularly engages me. Theatre that speaks to communities here and gives a platform for their lived experiences. Similar to Brassneck Theatre Company in West Belfast, Green Shoot gives a voice and a platform to tell the stories of people from all communities in the North, that have in the past been under-represented in the arts.

I have nothing but positive memories of collaborating with Martin Lynch and Green Shoot Productions on the creation and staging of My English Tongue, My Irish Heart, which successfully toured venues in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and England in May 2015. 

Martin’s artistry as a playwright and director brought the many-sided history of Irish emigration to England to vivid life, and infused it with stark social realism, irreverent humour and searing pathos. The result was a play that not only entertained audiences but also deepened their knowledge of migration and broadened their understanding of their own and others’ identities’.

Green Shoot Productions has demonstrated beyond doubt that popular audiences are willing to engage with performances that are challenging and expand our sense of what it means to live in this place as it emerges out of conflict. 

While it has promoted the work of Martin Lynch, one of Northern Ireland’s most prolific and successful playwrights, it has also platformed work by other established writers and new voices. As a leading researcher into the theatre of Northern Ireland, the company has also been extremely generous in supporting my research activities and ensuring a more comprehensive representation of the theatre here that speaks to the history and lived experiences of ordinary people.