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Hamlet, Prince of Derry adapted by Colin Murphy A State in crisis. A royal family divided. The online mob is angry. Everybody is spying on everybody else. Something is rotten in the state of Derry, and Hamlet is determined to fix it… between all-night gaming sessions, angry rants on YouTube, and fighting with his girlfriend on Snapchat. This is Hamlet, Prince of Derry - a Hamlet for our distracted times. Stage Beyond, Derry’s theatre company for adults with learning disabilities, bring their unique skillset and perspective to the most famous play in the English language. Hamlet, Prince of Derry was due to open as a stage play in May 2020. But because of the Covid-19 crisis, the production moved to radio, with RTÉ Drama On One teaming up with Stage Beyond to use an array of online apps to record the cast during the lockdown. Starring the actors of Stage Beyond Theatre Company with Patrick O’Kane and UTV Presenter, Paul Clark. Adapted for the company by Colin Murphy and directed by Conall Morrison. Original Score by Si Schroeder. Assistant Director: Alison Mahoney Artistic Director, Stage Beyond: Dee Conaghan Sound Supervision: Damian Chennells and Ruth Kennington Producer: Kevin Brew Series Producer: Kevin Reynolds See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Burning Question by Kevin Brew - with Amitav Ghosh The second episode in Drama On One's strand offering a compendium of thoughts and stories on climate activism and the living planet. Presented by Louise Williams, Episode 2 features the words of scholar Amitav Ghosh, author of The Nutmeg’s Curse. The programme features a recording of Amitav Ghosh's lecture 'How Should We Think About Climate Change?', given at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in 2024 and hosted by Field Day and University of Notre Dame Dublin. On the root cause of climate change, Ghosh is clear - ‘Climate change is not a policy matter. It’s a war. It’s a war of the global rich against the global poor.’ The lecture is introduced by Stephen Rea. The lecture was given at the Royal Irish Academy of Music on 1st December 2024. Featuring the lecture 'How Should We Think About Climate Change?', Copyright © Amitav Ghosh, 2024, used by permission of The Wylie Agency (UK) Limited and Hachette UK. Special thanks to Eimear Clowry Delaney, Professor Kevin Whelan, Maggie Arriola, the University of Notre Dame Dublin and The Royal Irish Academy of Music for permission to record the lecture. Presented by Louise Williams Musical Score by Daragh Dukes. Wildlife recordings by Chris Watson Sound supervision and Sound Design by Ruth Kennington. Producer: Kevin Brew Amitav's new novel Ghost Eye is available now. The programme is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the television licence fee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In The Middle of The Fields by Mary Lavin Based on the acclaimed stage production of Mary Lavin's short story, directed by Joan Sheehy, and originally produced by Blood In The Alley Theatre Company. The evocative story centres around a young widow who displays a strong, independent spirit in running her farm. An encounter one night with a neighbouring farmer becomes emotionally charged and unsettling, posing provocative questions about past passions in a shifting and surprising story that will leave you captivated. Cast & Production Credits Kathy Rose O’Brien (Vera & Bridie) Mark O’Regan (Ned) Seamus Moran (Bartley Crossen) Music composed by Tom Lane. Music performed by Dermot Dunne. Directed by Joan Sheehy. Sound Design & Sound Supervision by Ciarán Cullen. Presented by Kind Permission of the Estate of Mary Lavin. Special thanks to Kathleen MacMahon. Producer, Blood in the Alley: Geoff Gould. Producer for RTÉ: Kevin Brew. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ballad of the Stolwijk Rescue Another chance to hear the award-winning documentary from our colleagues in The Lyric Feature. In December 1940, eight fishermen from Arranmore Island in County Donegal rescued 18 Dutch sailors from the SS Stolwijk, a cargo ship which had been wrecked on rocks in a hurricane force storm. Singer and multi-instrumentalist, Brían Mac Gloinn, who is one half of the well known folk duo Ye Vagabonds, heard the story from the last living eye witness, Andrew Early, who knew the lifeboat crew who effected the daring rescue. Using his testimony and that of other islanders, Brían has woven a radio ballad to commemorate the events of that day. The radio ballad is a particular form of radio storytelling that was pioneered by Ewan McColl, Peggy Seeger and Charles Parker, where eyewitness accounts are augmented by new original music and sound effects to recreate the emotional context of an event. This may be the first ever Irish radio ballad.This programme was shortlisted for the Prix Italia radio awards in 2021. Written, presented and performed by Brían Mac Gloinn, Sound mixing by Brían MacGloinn and Damian Chennells Produced by Brían Mac Gloinn and Eoin O Kelly (first broadcast 24th of December 2020) EPG: From The Lyric Feature: Ye Vagabonds Brían Mac Gloinn tells the story in word and song of the rescue of 18 Dutch sailors off Arranmore Island over 80 years ago. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wake by Irene Kelleher In this touching comedy we eavesdrop on the thoughts of a young woman during her mother’s wake in the family home, in a play that explores the indeterminacy of grief and family relationships, amidst a motley crew of mourners determined to talk about anything except loss. Cast & Production Credits Irene Kelleher (Lily) Gary Murphy (Dad) Dawn Bradfield (Lily’s Mam, Bridget Fogarty, Aunt Rachel, & the Sexy Top!) Mark O’Regan (Father Sean, Tommy Riordan & Uncle Danny) Denis Conway (Toothie Teddy & Uncle Gerry) Norma Sheahan (Aunt Jess & Aunt Sally) Alex Murphy (Michael Sweeney) Liz Fitzgibbon (Aoibheann & Cousin Aileen) Composer: Cormac O’Connor Director: Conall Morrison Sound Supervision and Sound Design: Damian Chennells Image: Marcin Lewandowski Producer for RTÉ: Kevin Brew The original stage production of Wake was directed by Geoff Gould. It premiered in 2021 at West Cork Fit Up, and has toured extensively since then. If you or anyone you know has been affected by the issues raised in the piece, you can find helpline information at rte.ie/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Horace by John O'Donnell Fidelma has a special gift. So when young couple Tom and Cathy join the bereavement counselling group, Fidelma sees a way that she can help them – until other darker secrets are revealed. Dawn Bradfield was Fidelma Stephen Jones played Darren The role of Cathy was played by Aoibhinn McGinnity Mark Huberman was Tom Charlie McGuinness was Eugene Bernie was played by Enda Oates Sound design and sound supervision was by Mark Dwyer Horace by John O’Donnell was directed by Gorretti Slavin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hecuba written by Marina Carr Troy has fallen and the humiliated and bereaved, Hecuba, Trojan Queen wipes the blood of her slaughtered sons and grandsons off her body. As more sacrifices are demanded, how much more could one woman be asked to bear? Listeners are advised that the play contains strong adult language that some may find offensive Derbhle Crotty was Hecuba, Declan Conlon played Agamemnon. The role of Cassandra was played by Aoibhinn McGinnity, Danielle Galligan was Polyxena. Odysseus was played by Enda Oates and Ollie West was Polydorous Sound design and sound supervision was by Gar Duffty Hecuba by Marina Carr was directed by Gorretti Slavin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Longing Lasts Longer by Penny Arcade. Longing last Longer is a kick-ass comedy with guts, it's a refutation of nostalgia, It's a crack at gentrification; not only the gentrification of our cities but the gentrification of ideas. It's a stand up for authenticity, a kick against mediocrity. No one is spared not even the seemingly banal cupcake! One thing for sure Penny Arcade tells you where to go and that's your own way!!! Penny Arcade, an Andy Warhol Factory Superstar and a contemporary of Patti Smith and Debbie Harry, together with her long time collaborator Steve Zehentner brought Longing Lasts Longer to the Peacock stage in the Abbey Theatre for Dublin Fringe 2016. In Penny's own words Longing Lasts Longer is:- "a vindication for people over 50 and a context provider for people under 50" "thinking is sexy people!.. let's bring back thinking!!" Sound design by Steve Zehentner Sound Supervision by Ciarán Cullen Directed for radio by Gorretti Slavin  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharon is not a happy child! On the contrary she is a young girl obsessed with the predictions of Nostradamus, the third secret of Fatima and the end of the World! She is worried that she doesn’t have a future, has no talent and falls under every radar. This all changes however when she meets Frank. Frank her button accordion changes Sharon’s life, goes everywhere with her, is the talk of the town and gives her a ‘funny feeling in her tummy’ that she thinks may be self esteem. But as all the great love songs say, ‘nothing lasts forever’ and as catastrophe after catastrophe follows Sharon the only explanation is that it’s all Frank’s fault. Featuring Joe Taylor & Sue Collins With special thanks to Musician Peter Browne, & to Fiona Rigney Sound Supervision was by Mark Dwyer Written & Performed by Sharon Mannion Directed by Gorretti Slavin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Last, High King of Ireland by Patrick Fogarty The Last, High King of Ireland tells the story of a day in the life of a hard-drinking man who has bestowed upon himself the title The Last, High King of Ireland. We follow the 'High King’ or ‘Tapper’ as he is better known to the locals, on his daily travels from morning to night in the fictional town of Molinheer. The High King’s world is full of myth, mirth, and magic. The play is a snippet of the life of a forgotten man on the fringes of society, and those who he encounters. Pat Kinevane Plays Tapper (The Last, High King of Ireland) Joe Taylor played the part of Maloney John D Ruddy was McCann Sharon Mannion was Lisa of the Tithe. The Tailor was played by Enda Oates Dawn Bradfield was Lady of the Spuds Bab the Barwoman was Noni Stapleton Ellie Brosnan - Corkery played the child All other parts were played by the company Harpist Geraldine Doherty arranged and performed the music Sound design and sound supervision was by Damian Chennells The Last, High King of Ireland by Patrick Fogarty was directed by Gorretti Slavin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marie, a single mother in the dormitory suburbs, hides her unhappiness behind harsh humour; but the tedious, elderly neighbours she dismisses turn out to be hiding from harm themselves in their own shuttered bungalow. Kathy Rose O'Brien played Marie Pat Laffan ... Jim Áine Ní Mhuirí was Mavis and Ellie Sullivan made her début as little Laura. Sound supervision was by Richard McCullough Mr Sun by Gillian Grattan was produced by Aidan Mathews. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charolais a surreal comedy about love, longing and one woman’s intense rivalry with a Charolais heifer. This is a muddy place of simmering desire minced with a loneliness that cuts to the bone. Noni Stapleton who wrote the piece, plays both the protagonist Siobhan and her love rival the cow. Siobhan is a woman who is very alone in the world. She wants to change that but the way she goes about doing so is off beat to say the least! She is looking for love and very determined but there are obstacles to her achieving that sense of belonging she craves. One of which happens to be a terribly beautiful Charolais Heifer, who appears to be vying for the affections of Siobhan’s fella. There are bumps in the road including a pass remarkable mother in law played by Bairbre Ní Chaoimh and a less than committed lover in the form of Jimmy, a farmer played by Enda Oates. Siobhan's method of getting rid of any perceived threat to her idea of happy families is very unusual. There is plenty of room for dark humour, and a little gothic horror here. Sound Supervision was by Damien Chennells Directed by Gorretti Slavin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Ross Island to Galapagos to the possibly mythical isle of HyBrasil, world renowned sound recordist Chris Watson teams up with Writer/Presenter Luke Clancy, Composer Irene Buckley and Actor Kathy Rose O'Brien to journey across an atlas of remote islands. Islands fuses documentary and drama, and a bit of pretending, to make a journey not usually possible - especially these days - as Chris and Luke imagine stepping across frozen lava at Ross island, Antarctica; taking in the rarefied atmosphere of the Alcedo volcano on the Galapagos islands and listening to an incredible symphony of Bearded Seals under the ice at Svalbard. The programme draws on live performances by the team at Skibbereen Arts Festival (2019) and at the International Features Conference hosted by RTÉ Documentary On One (2019). The programme merges chronicles of island life by Luke, with Chris’s stunning archive of natural history, accompanied by a haunting soundtrack created by Composer Irene Buckley, while actor Kathy Rose O'Brien navigates our journey. Writer: Luke Clancy Sound Recording and Sound Design: Chris Watson Narration: Luke Clancy and Chris Watson Composer: Irene Buckley Actor: Kathy Rose O’Brien Sound Supervision: Ruth Kennington Producer: Kevin Brew Series Producer: Kevin Reynolds With special thanks to Declan McCarthy, Brendan McCarthy, Pat Collins, Sharon Whooley and Tadhg O'Sullivan. Islands was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence Fee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No Love Lost by Dylan Tighe, explores anti-Traveller racism through the prism of a love story between a young Traveller man and an older woman.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a sinister triptych that mimics a hall of mirrors, Karl O'Neill’s three masculine monologues draw parallel portraits – a suitor, a stalker, a spouse – of concave Man obsessed with the opposite sex.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.