Derry/Londonderry - Gerard McKeown

Contact: info@writingonthewall.org.uk

Join Writer Dave Duggan, Poet Gerard McKeown and singer/songwriter Alan Burke, for a night of drama, poetry and song, in a celebration of future Derry.

It'll be just over thirty years since the tragic events of Bloody Sunday when Derry/Londonderry celebrates it's year as UK Capital of Culture, awarded by a panel chaired by Liverpool's Phil Redmond, and designed specifically to "build on the success of Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture in 2008, which had significant social and economic benefits for the area". A controversial award, to put it mildy, as there are a fair number of people in Derry who regard the English as a less than friendly force. The clue is in the name, and it's a sign of attempts to bridge the divide that like 'New York, New York', its common usage is now to use both names - amongst officialdom at least. But business doesn't thrive in a divided city, and although in many areas it may feel uncomfortable, it does appear that there is also a desire to move on and move forward. Is this a positive sign, will it leave the memory of those men and women, some in their prime, some in the later years, behind, and will it be a force for good in overcoming sectariansism, or will it drive it further underground and out of control. Are the one or two attacks on the City of Culture offices a final few squibs or a sign of things to come? And in the eyes of many, even though the British Government has finally issued its apology, there are still matters to clear up. Dave Duggan himself, was writer/director on Gerald Donaghey-Unfinished Business, for The Pat Finucane Centre and The Bloody Sunday Trust (2012), exploring the claim, made with nothing to back it up, that Gerald Donaghey, shot by British Paratroopers in 1972, probably was carrying nail bombs. But there's a lot to celebrate about Derry - the tenacity of the people themselves, who have lived through some terrible times, is worthy of a celebration all of its own.

We're made up (a Liverpool expression) to have novelist and playright, Dave Duggan, Poet, Gerard McKeown, and singer-songwriter Alan Burke, joining us for a night of talking, readings, listening, poetry and music looking at all things Derry - past, present and future (there's probably an Irish expression for this but we're trying not to do clichés).

Dave Duggan is a dramatist and novelist, writing in English and in Irish. He lives in Derry.
His novel, The Greening of Larry Mahon (Guildhall Press, 2004), was described by The Guardian as 'an engrossing study of shifting rootlessness'. His film work includes the Oscar nominated Dance Lexie Dance (Raw Nerve Productions, 1996). His political comedy, Comhairleoirí, went on-line for BBC in 2011. He wrote the pilot episode for Na Deich nAitheanta (Ulysses Films, 2010). He wrote seven plays for Sole Purpose Productions between 1996 and 2007, published as Plays in a Peace Process (Guildhall Press, 2008). Included in this collection is AH 6905 (2005), currently in production in Afghanistan. He adapted his stage play Riders to the Road (after Synge's Riders to the Sea) for RTÉ radio drama (2011).
His second novel, A Sudden Sun, (Guildhall Press, 2012), will be launched at the end of April and the beginning of May, in Derry, Dublin and in Liverpool, as part of the Writing on the Wall Festival.

Dave blogs at breathingwithalimp.blogspot.com

Alan Burke started his singing career fronting the Irish band Afterhours with whom he released three recordings, all of which were widely received and toured extensively throughout Europe, Canada and America. Alan then released his first solo CD ‘On the Other Hand’ in 1998 and his second solo recording ‘Tip of the Tongue’ in 2003. His voice has been described as “Full of power, sensitivity and clarity”. Alan has also played in various duos and trios with musicians such as, Gerry "fiddle" O'Connor, Maurice Lennon, Joe McHugh, Alan Doherty, Kane O'Rourke, Barry Kerr, Paul Bradley, Pádraig Rynne, Angelina Carberry, Martin Quinn and many others. He also played and toured extensively with the Belfast band "At First Light" featuring uilleann piper John McSherry. More recently Alan has been involved in the Irish Sea Sessions with Liverpool’s Irish Festival and Philharmonic Hall.

Get a taster of his work at www.myspace.com/alanburkesings

Gerard McKeown is an award winning writer based in London but born in 1980 in Ballymena, Northern Ireland he was the 2007 Ulster performance poetry champion and a semi-finalist of Radio 4′s All-Ireland Poetry Slam. Gerard’s work has been published in various collections including: Fuselit, Black Mountain Review, and Citizen 32. In 2010 he was featured in Poetry Ireland’s Up and Coming Writers showcase. In Northern Ireland he has organised numerous literary events including Skint But Articulate, The Future GCSE Poetry Syllabus, and Make Yourself Heard. Gerard has performed with writers including Stewart Home, Nick Toczek and John Cooper Clarke.

'Gerard McKeown has the subtlest Ultonian ability to satirise from the gravest of atrocity to the most ludicrous of stupidity, and will leave you right in between, in stitches. 'Beautiful Goth' (Lizard Men) has to be heard.'- Paul Casey, Obheal Open Mic, Cork http://www.gerardmckeown.co.uk

Tel: 0844 873 2888 or to buy online use the link below:

http://unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/whats-on/writing-on-the-wall/details/32-Derry_Londonderry.html

Price: £6.00 / £4.00

Time: 8:00pm