About The Show
A rip roaring, men on a mission comedy about the assembly, training and deployment of Michael Collins infamous hit squad.
After the Rising, Michael Collins put together a list of the hardiest shcans in all 32 counties to form an elite military unit to embark on a campaign of subterfuge, misinformation, political assassinations, espionage and general divilment. So begins the tale of The Hellfire Squad.
Written by Peter McGann and John Morton is a fiercely comical, action packed story of mismatched assassins with different agendas and the same targets. The legend of Collins’ Squad has been printed. Now the seven-man squad and their no-nonsense handler, ‘The Bould’ Kathleen Sweeney are telling their tale, one as powerful, tragic and frightening as the history it sprung from.
God bless the work.
The Hellfire Squad was performed at Project Arts Centre, Dublin from 18th to 23rd July 2016 and The Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny from July 28-30th as part of our Devious 10 programme and Alternative Kilkenny Arts 2016.
THE CAST
‘The Bould’ Kathleen Sweeney – Annette O’Shea
Tadhg McRoth – David Fennelly
Walter Meade – John Morton
Fr. Desmond Furey – Dave Fleming
Dr. Roddy Quincannon – Stephen Colfer
Finbarr McLiammoir – John Doran
Dicey McGurk – Peter McGann
Austin De Courcey – Ed Murphy
THE CREW
Writers – Peter McGann and John Morton
Director – Sarah Baxter
Producer – Ken McGuire
Production Designer – Helen McGinty
Stage Manager – Sinead Heavin
Lighting Designer – Adrian Mullan
Dramaturg – Ken Bourke
Sound Design – Ken McGuire
Reviews:
“McGann and Morton’s script manages to be historically accurate and hilarious” – Sunday Business Post
“A modern Irish classic” – Pure M Magazine
“Admirably, the playmakers are more interested in a reclamation project, restoring these secret fighters to the record.” – Exeunt Magazine
“The play zips along at breakneck speed under the tight direction of Sarah Baxter” – The Kilkenny People
“An innovative view of the period and shows that we don’t have to treat the heroes of yesteryear with solemnity.” – No More Workhorse
