Description

Synopsis: The story of the legendary hero and expert archer Philoctetes, who set off with the Greek army for the war on Troy, but was left behind on Lemnos because of a wound on his heel.

Excerpt: 

‘Human beings suffer,

They torture one another,

They get hurt and get hard.

No poem or play or song

Can fully right a wrong

Inflicted and endured.

*

The innocent in gaols

Beat on their bars together.

A hunger-striker’s father

Stands in the graveyard dumb.

The police widow in veils

Faints at the funeral home.

*

History says, don’t hope

On this side of the grave.

But then, once in a lifetime

The longed-for tidal wave

Of justice can rise up,

And hope and history rhyme.’

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First Production: Guildhall, Derry, October 1990

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Original Cast & Production Team

Chorus Veronica Duffy
Merchant (in disguise) Veronica Duffy
Philoctetes Des McAleer
Chorus Siobhan Miley
Odysseus Seamus Moran
Neoptolemus Sean Rocks
Chorus Zara Turner

Director Stephen Rea
Director Bob Crowley
Designer Bob Crowley
Lighting Designer Rory Dempster
Lighting Designer Conleth White
Music by Donal Lunny
Design Assistant Antony Waterman
Company Manager Gary McKeone
Stage Manager Jude Wheway
Deputy Stage Manager Seamus Shea
Assistant Stage Manager Micil Ryan
Lighting Operator John Garrigan
Costume Supervisor Christine Rowland
PR Kate Bond
Poster/Program cover by Basil Blackshaw
Marketing Manager Finola O’Doherty
Casting Hubbard Casting
Administrator Colette Nelis