Nov
South of the Tyne Irish Drama Group part of the Felling Irish Association
Present
Finnegan’s Wake
New community theatre based on an old Irish song. Followed by a ceili with
The Geordie Shamrocks
Thursday 10th July, Felling Community Centre
Friday 11th July, Hollyhill Social Club
Finnegan’s Wake
A new piece of community theatre, created by members of the South of Tyne Drama Group, part of the Felling Irish Association and The South of the Tyne Irish Society, tells the story of Tim Finnegan, an unfortunate Irish bricklayer, through song, dance, poetry and music. After an evening at Dirty Nelly’s Tim is late for work. Eventually he makes it to the construction site only to have his day take a turn for the worse as he falls from a ladder. Grief stricken his family and friends gather for Tim’s wake. However all is not what it seems.
Can whiskey and porter raise Tim from the dead?
All for Me Grog
All for me grog me jolly jolly grog,
All for me beer and tobacco,
For all I spent all my tin on the lassie drinking gin,
Far across the western ocean I must wander.
Finnegan’s Wake
Whack fol de da now dance to yer partner,
Around the flor yer trotters shake,
Wasn’t It the truth I told you?
Lots of fun at Finnegan’s Wake.
Cap-a-Pie have been working with the Felling Irish Association to devise, write and perform a new community play – Finnegan’s wake. People of all ages have been exploring their history and heritage and taking inspiration from a traditional Irish song – Finnegan’s wake to create a new performance drawing on their musical, dancing, acting and singing talents.
Created and Performed by
Ambrose Woodhouse
Betty Law
Celia Doyle
Charley Rutland
Dave Sloan
David Cowell
Dominic Rutland
Eilish Lowdon
Gabriel Greeves
George Law
Iain
Jake Abbott
James Frater
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Rutland
Lincoln
Maggie Frater
Matthew Rutland
Patrick Lowdon
Philip
Rebecca Rutland
Saoirse Glynn
Sheena Greeves
Sian Frater
Simon James
Turns at Ceili performed by
Jenni Pascoe
Nancy Kniveton
Sky Hawkins
Peter Gordon
Harry Gallagher
Cap-a-Pie
Brad McCormick: Director
Katy Vanden Hehir: Musical Director
Matthew Jones: Musician
What is a ‘Wake’?
George Law – local historian
In Ireland, the traditional wake is still carried out. Soon after a death, word of mouth will spread te news and neighbours, relations and friends will attend the house as soon as they hear. Neighbours will help in preparing food and tea as well as alcoholic beverages. The corpse will be laid out, normally covered in a white shee and laid on their own bed. The corpse is never left alone, A wake was an occasion that mixed gaiety with sadness. Clocks were stopped and mirrors either removed or turned around. After the corpse had been laid out the women would begin to wail ‘Why did he have to die?’ and other similar comments. Music and singing made the week feel more like a party. Cards were often played – with a hand dealt for the deceased.
Thanks to
This project is kindly supported using the public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and Gateshead Council. The team give special thanks to the Felling Irish Association, Peter Mole MBE, Gem Arts, Regional Youth Work Unit, Gateshead Council, Hollyhill Social Club, Felling Community Centre, Ouseburn Farm for lend of high vis vests, Gateshead Diversity Forum, Windy Nook Methodist Church, Gateshead Older People’s Assembly, Gateshead Heritage Group, NE1 Irish, The Irish World.
The Felling Irish Association will be taking a group to Mass at St. Michael’s RC Church, Elswick for the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Mass on Friday 17th March 2017. Bus will leave Holly Hill Club, Felling at 9.30am to take group to Mass which starts at 10.30. After Mass, the bus will take the group to Jurys Inn, Gateshead for an Irish Breakfast and entertainment from 12-3pm. Bus will then return members to Felling Square. Places limited so book early to avoid disappointment. A £5 non-returnable deposit to be paid at time of booking to cover transport costs. To book your place contact Des Costello 0191 469 4476.