The Parting

Strabane's Alley Theatre and Ballybofey's Balor DCA, supported by IFI (International Fund for Ireland), are please to annouce a joint partnership highlighting the 400th anniversary of the plantations.

This Spring "The Parting" a new play by Jonathan Burgess, will tour the North West of Ireland and then across the nation.

  "Sir John Cameron has arrived in The Finn Valley having received 2,000 acres under the new Plantation of Ulster scheme in 1610, a scheme devised by the British King, James I, intended to bring prosperity and peace to the troubled province. The scheme, though, does not go to plan, as Dermott O’Neill, a veteran of The Nine Years War is typical of the resentment borne by the native Irish towards the new Planters. The arrival of Sir John’s son, Alexander, from Scotland, who has been unable to convince sufficient numbers of Scots to cross the Irish Sea causes further problems for Sir John, but could it be that Alexander’s chance meeting with O’Neill’s daughter Dervla that is to provide him with his biggest challenge of all?"

Written by Jonathan Burgess, author of the hugely successful Theatre-in-Education play “Fair Faa Ye”, the production looks at the challenges faced by the native Irish and British Planters, challenges that have been seen as the root cause of disharmony between the communities in Ireland over the last 400 years.

To download the show poster click here.

Are you interested in bringing this play to your venue or district? Contact John Kerr, Alley Theatre manager on 028 7138 4444 to find out more.

Latest News!

New Plantation play takes North West

by storm!

Last week visitors to the Sollus Centre in Bready took a magical step back in time as a new historical production entitled “The Parting” was performed within this award winning modern community centre. Highlighting the 400th anniversary of the Plantation period, “The Parting” was a joint production by Ballybofey’s Balor DCA, assisted by the Alley Theatre in Strabane and funded by the International Fund for Ireland.

A delighted James Kee from the Sollus Centre stated at the launch of the play that “the Plantation period is a key point in Irish and British history and this evenings performance has gone a long way in explaining what was actually happening for both communities during this unsettled period and why after 400 years we are still feeling those ripples of history today. I would like to thank the Balor DCA, the Alley Theatre and IFI for developing and funding this project. The project has had a massive impact across schools, colleges and community groups in the North West, so I would like to congratulate you for all your hard work during the 400th anniversary of the Plantations.”

The Parting” was been written by celebrated North West of Ireland playwright, Jonathan Burgess, and already had a packed touring programme with local schools and colleges, before performing for community groups this week. The play looks at the story of Sir John Cameron who has arrived in The Finn Valley having received 2,000 acres under the new Plantation of Ulster scheme in 1610, a scheme devised by the British King, James I, intended to bring prosperity and peace to a troubled province.”

Sir John’s plan does not go smoothly, as he faces tough challenges from Dermott O’Neill, a veteran of The Nine Years War and typical of the resentment borne by the native Irish towards the new Planters. The play looks at the relationship between the two men and their grown up children, Sir John’s son Alexander and O’Neill’s daughter Dervla. A love develops between Alexander and Dervla, however with the vast divide of religion, loyalty and land the young couple are destined to walk alone into the future.

Speaking after the play, Mr. Winston Patterson, Board member of the International Fund for Ireland, remarked "The significance of this work to the local area cannot be overestimated, with the Finn and Laggan Valleys intrinsically linked with the history of the Plantation of Ulster, which began 400 years ago. I am delighted that the IFI has been able to support Balor in the staging of this drama." Mr. Patterson also recorded the Fund’s appreciation for the international donors to the IFI: the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, who had made possible the Fund’s support for this project and many others.

Can Love conquer all?

Strabane's Alley Theatre and Ballybofey’s Balor DCA, supported by IFI (International Fund for Ireland), are pleased to announce this week a new project has started which will see the development of a new touring play, “The Parting”, which is set to highlight the 400th anniversary of the Irish Plantations.

“The Parting” has been written by celebrated playwright, Jonathan Burgess, and already has a packed touring programme, which starts with a North West tour from early February. John Kerr, the Alley Theatre Manager stated "The play looks at the story of Sir John Cameron who has arrived in The Finn Valley having received 2,000 acres under the new Plantation of Ulster scheme in 1610, a scheme devised by the British King, James I, intended to bring prosperity and peace to a  troubled province.”

“Sir John’s plan does not go smoothly, as he faces tough challenges from Dermott O’Neill, a veteran of The Nine Years War and typical of the resentment borne by the native Irish towards the new Planters. The play looks at the relationship between the two men and their grown up children, Sir John’s son Alexander and O’Neill’s daughter Dervla. A love develops between Alexander and Dervla, however will the vast divide of religion, loyalty and land be too much for the young couple?"

James Kee, from the award winning Solus Centre in Bready, who will be hosting the production on February 18th, stated “The Parting has been written by celebrated local playwright, Jonathan Burgess, author of the hugely successful Theatre-in-Education play “Fair Faa Ye”. The production looks at the challenges faced by the native Irish and British Planters, challenges that have been seen as the root cause of disharmony between the communities in Ireland over the last 400 years. This play offers a unique view on the plantations, offering both perspectives entwined with a gripping love story.”

The play is set to tour the North West schools and community groups from February 8th (Glenfin), Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey (Feb 16th) Killeter (Feb 17th), the Sollus Centre (feb 18th) and Grange Court, Newtownstewart (Feb 20th). For more information contact the local venues, visit www.alley-theatre.com/about-us/the-parting-- or contact Lisa Finn at Balor DCA on 00353 74 91 30424 (NI) or 074 9130424 (Republic).