The west awakes

Written By: Jimmy McAleavey, Laurence McKeown, Kieron Magee and Rosemary Walsh.
Directed By: Paula McFetridge
Production Premiere: 7th April 2010

A theatrical walking tour through the history of West Belfast, incorporating five short dramatic performances set in five different historical periods at five different locations along the Falls Road.

To enhance existing first-person political tours, Kabosh commissioned four playwrights to script short plays for performance at St. Comgall’s School, Conway Mill, Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, City Cemetery and Milltown Cemetery.

Featuring West Belfast actors Antoinette Morelli and Gerard Jordan, each play brings to life the rich history and vibrant heritage of this unique area of the city of Belfast, enhancing already hugely popular tours of West Belfast as delivered by Taxitrax and Coiste.

The playwrights, Laurence McKeown, Rosaleen Walsh, Jimmy McAleavey and Kieron Magee, focus on the men and women who have played key roles in the life of the West. From news reporters at St Comgalls, workers in Conway Mill, the bi-lingual ghosts of the Presbyterian Church at An Cultúrlann to the dead of Milltown Cemetery.

The West Awakes celebrates the complex and vibrant contribution to the life of Belfast by the people of the West.

The production was revived for many years as a whole project and the individual plays were shared in various locations for festivals, events and commemorations.

Experience the recording of this piece here and more information via Streets of Belfast here.

“The West Awakes provokes a response from its audience, forcing conversation and ultimately a greater understanding of our own collaborative identity.”

Irish Theatre Magazine