a very-short play festival
15 Minutes debuted in May 2012 for two unique nights in the Ulster Hall Group Space. For this inaugural year we brought together a selection of great Irish companies as a very special mini-festival to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Ulster Hall.
Ten of the best Irish theatre companies and makers, both young and old, each performed a piece lasting only fifteen minutes, with five different companies featured each night
“Great taster of different moods. Great to be transported to so many places!!”
“A REALLY great night of ‘mini-theatre’. Please do it again!”
“Fantastic - making theatre vibrant and accessible! A great show!”
“WELL DONE EVERYONE. What a fab idea and a brilliant night - more please!!”
WEDNESDAY 9th MAY
Wireless Mystery Theatre – The Width of a Room by Aislinn Clarke & Stephen O’Hagan
A specially devised original work by Aislinn Clarke and Stephen O’Hagan with music by Barry Cullen. Audio theatre, performed in darkness, with an original improvised electro score. About a terminally ill old man and a nurse caring for him, who uncovers a chilling secret the old man has been keeping between himself and the 4 walls...
www.wirelessmysterytheatre.com
Kabosh – Fever by Nicola McCartney
A young woman comes face to face with her victim. An older woman comes face to face with her attacker. Both recollect the eventful night that changed their lives for good. How different are memories. Are some things better left unsaid?
Mary-Frances Doherty – Delia and the Blitz – The show must go on!
A new devised work exploring the events that took place on that fateful night of April 15th, 1941. As the Belfast skyline lit up and the city suffered from one of the highest death tolls in one single night, Irish songbird Delia Murphy entertained a packed Ulster Hall, singing hit after hit, drowning out the sirens and dancing through the trouble as the city around her turned to rubble.
Aisling Ghéar – An Aisling – Part 2
Highly original comedy in Irish! A wild, wacky and witty comedy sketch show, poking a wee bit of fun at some lovingly held customs and beliefs that surround the language. Expect familiar songs with lyrics full of that famous black Belfast humour and expect to do a bit of the ‘joining in on the chorus’!!
Fishamble: The New Play Company – Excerpt from Silent by Pat Kinevane
Homeless McGoldrig once had splendid things. But he has lost it all - including his mind. He now dives into the wonderful wounds of his past through the romantic world of Rudolph Valentino, in this brave, bold, beautiful production. Silent is currently wowing audiences on its extensive Irish touring and internationally in Europe and the USA.
WINNER of Fringe First and Herald Angel Awards at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2011
THURSDAY 10th MAY
Sumaire – Within the Pale Glade by Lisa Keogh
A dramatic reading of the first fifteen minutes of Within the Pale Glade, a full-length play being developed by Sumaire. On the night of her mother’s funeral Tessa escapes the small-talk of grief and runs to the garden. When Ada finds her there the tensions between them can no longer be ignored.
www.facebook.com/sumairetheatre
Theatre Without Walls – Excerpt from Desert Island Books by Jason Maher
Isabelle Blake is leaving her old life behind. She has been dreaming of escape for as long as she can remember and the family bookshop has always got in her way but now there is a new man in her life and things are starting to get interesting. This funny and moving production is for anyone who has ever fallen in love or dreamed of a new life.
Desert Island Books is a literary romance with a loveable quirky heroine aimed at a mainstream audience.
www.theatrewithoutwalls.org.uk
Spark Opera – Love Duet
A love duet in modern day dress.
Accidental – Fallen Socks and Fear by Kristen Kernaghan
A beautiful tiny play about a chance encounter in the park between a girl who wants to read and a man who just wants his socks pulled up. Simple and unsettling, this gorgeous play highlights what a person has to overcome to reach someone else.
Director Richard Lavery
Cast Susan Davey and Matt Faris
Tinderbox – Blue for a Boy by Julie Dutkiewicz
It's a big day for Lois. She is about to give birth to her first child but her mother can't be at the hospital to support her. As the contraction pains take hold she has to face her fear and the challenges ahead on her own. At the same time, her mother in her prison cell, unable to contact Lois, realise she is about to miss the most important day of her daughter’s life.