Drama On One

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.