Description

First Production: Guildhall, Derry, 23 September 1980

Setting: A hedge-school in the townland of Baile Beag/Ballybeg, an Irish-speaking community in County Donegal. Late August, 1833.

Synopsis: The first Royal Ordnance Survey is translating the local Gaelic place names of the townland of Baile Beag in County Donegal into English, with far-reaching personal and cultural consequences for a hedge-school teacher, his two sons, and the small group of local people who attend the school.

Excerpts:

“… it is not the literal past, the ‘facts’ of history, that shape us, but images of the past embodied in language.”

“But remember that words are signals, counters. They are not immortal. And it can happen – to use an image you’ll understand – it can happen that a civilisation can be imprisoned in a linguistic contour which no longer matches the landscape of… fact.”

Original Cast & Production Team

Jimmy Jack Roy Hanlon

Sarah Ann Hasson

Máire Nuala Hayes

Captain Lancey David Heap

Manus Mick Lally

Hugh Ray McAnally

Doalty Liam Neeson

Owen Stephen Rea

Bridget Brenda Scallon

Lieutenant Yolland Shaun Scott

Director Art Ó Briain

Designer Consolata Boyle

Lighting Designer Rupert Murray

Design Assistant Magdalena Rubalcava

Design Assistant Mary Friel

Company Manager Paddy Woodworth

Stage Manager  Bo Barton

Deputy Stage Manager Jonathan Tait

Assistant Stage Manager Margo Harkin

Set Construction Robert Boyle

PR Paddy Woodworth

PR Assistant Finola O’Doherty

Graphic Design Roy Gaston

Poster Image Basil Blackshaw