Green & Blue
Green & Blue explores the painful and humorous realities faced by the individuals who patrolled the border during the height of the conflict. It had its World Premier on October 21st 2016 in Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast as part of the Belfast International Festival.
Won The Lustrum Award, Edinburgh 2019 for ‘Best Theatrical Moment’ (presented by Summerhall)
Written by Laurence McKeown and directed by Paula McFetridge, the play is based on an oral archive of serving Royal Ulster Constabulary and An Garda Síochána officers, the title reflects the colour of both uniforms.
This production fuses theatre and film to look at the person behind the uniform and the different experiences of two individuals on either side of a man-made line on the ground.
In its supremely quiet way, it represents an indictment of the current situation so searing that it’s difficult not to weep, as the action moves towards its tragic and thoughtful conclusion.
SCOTSMAN 4* REVIEW
‘A drama of substantial insight and revelation… a life affirming celebration of the end of the dark days of a hard border…’
REVIEWS HUB
‘A highly moving piece of social theatre…this accounting of the reality of people’s experience has depth and intelligence, as well as a stark dramatic impact’ IRISH INDEPENDENT
‘…strong, well-judged performances…..the script skilfully and open-heartedly walks in another’s shoes.’ 4* IRISH TIMES
The play was inspired by Voices from the Vault: oral histories from former Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and An Garda Síochána officers who recorded their experiences as police officers during the Irish conflict.
Cast & Crew
Cast: James Doran and Vincent Higgins
Designer: Stuart Marshall
Film Maker: Conan McIvor
Producers
2016 – 2019 – Zoe Fox & Dominic Montague
2020 – 2024 – Andrew Hume & Lizzie Howard
Higgins and Doran give engaging performances as the men unable to cross a line that only wise men and farmers can see. It’s a simple but effective way of exploring two sides of one conflict. – BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Performances
Mullagh Community Hall, Cavan. 4 November 2016
Eargail Arts Festival: 18 July 2017, Colgan Hall, Carndonagh
An Grianan, Letterkenny, 19 July 2017
Amarchlann, Gaoth Dobhair, 20 July 2017,
Feile an Phobhail, 8 & 9 August 2017, Felons.
Build Peace 2018, 29th October 2019, Ulster University, Belfast
Tommy Makem Arts Centre, 8 February 2019
Bozar, Brussels, 13 February, 2019
International Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2 – 25 August 2019, Summer Hall Edinburgh
Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, 19 September 2022
The Ardhowen, Enniskillen, 20 September, 2022
The Old Church Centre, Cushendun, 11 May 2023
London Irish Centre, Camden 19 – 20 May 2023
Project Arts Centre, Dublin 30 May – 2 June 2023
Shorts Sports & Recreation Club, Belfast, 17 October 2023
Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick, 20 October 2023
Chester Lane Library, St Helens, 25 October 2023
Performing Arts Centre, Emory University, Atlanta, 2 -3 November 2023
New York Irish Centre, 15 – 16 November 2023
St Brigid’s Center for the Arts, Ottawa, 22 – 24 November 2023
Playhouse Derry, 5 November 2016
John Hewitt Summer School, 25 July 2017, Market Place Theatre, Armagh
Fit-Up Festival, West Cork, 31 July 2017 – Monday 7 August 2017
Across the Lines IFI Programme, February 13 2018, Kiltyclogher Community Centre
Fermanagh Live, 4 October 2018, Southwest College, Fermanagh
Irish Cultural Centre, London, 13 & 14 October 2018
Lyric Theatre Belfast, 14 – 22 September, 2022
Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, 19 September 2022
The Market Place Theatre, Armagh, 21 September 2022
The Old Church Centre, Cushendun, 22 September 2022
Galway Theatre Festival, 4 – 6 May 2023, Mick Lally Theatre
Ranfurly House, Dungannon, 13 May 2023
The Court House, Antrim, 14 October 2023
The Court House, Bangor, 18 October 2023
MAC Birmingham, 24 October 2023
Hope Street Theatre, Liverpool, 26 – 28 October 2023
City Theatre, Pittsburgh, 9 – 11 November 2023
Seamus Heaney: Afterlives Conference, Boston College, 18 November 2023
