Frank Pig Says Hello by Patrick McCabe, a stage version of his acclaimed novel The Butcher Boy will be performed at the Townhall, Cavan on Saturday 31 May at 8pm.
This is a harrowing yet humorous story of a young man, Francie Brady and his struggles in life. The play has been described as engrossing, haunting and provocative.
In this new, inventive production Frank Pig is played by Kim McCafferty. Kim is the first female Frank Pig. Ray Fitzsimons plays Frank senior and the 30 odd characters who travelled with Frank Pig on his journey through the play. Kim and Ray bring a highly visual and inventive style to this exciting production. The play is directed by Kieron Smith in his directorial debut. Lights and sound are by Paul Farnan, SET4Stage.
The group are travelling to Scotland in May to perform Frank Pig Says Hello as part of the Rep Season at Coatbridge College. This is part of the Developing Creative Practice Across Borders project funded by Leonardo da Vinci People in the Labour Market fund through Leargas. The cast and crew of four will have an immersive experience in Coatbridge where they will work alongside students and professionals at Coatbridge College. They will provide performances of Frank Pig and also a rehearsal workshop for students as part of their placement.
On their return the group will perform Frank Pig Says Hello at Loughan House Open Prison and are considering touring. Developing Creative Practice Across Borders is an initiative of Cavan County Council arts and social inclusion units and the project is co-ordinated by Gretta Mc Carron.
Tickets are €8 and will be available at the door of the Townhall on 31 May at 8pm.
Pat McCabe, Writer
Playwright and novelist Patrick McCabe was born in 1955 in Clones, County Monaghan, Ireland. He was educated at St Patrick’s Training College in Dublin and began teaching at Kingsbury Day Special School in London in 1980. His short story ‘The Call’ won the Irish Press Hennessy Award.
He is the author of several novels, including The Butcher Boy (1992), a black comedy narrated by a disturbed young slaughterhouse worker, which won theIrish Times Irish Literature Prize for Fiction; The Dead School (1995), an account of the misfortunes that befall two Dublin teachers; and Breakfast on Pluto (1998), the disturbing tale of a transvestite prostitute who becomes involved with Republican terrorists. The Butcher Boy and Breakfast on Pluto were both shortlisted for the Booker Prize for Fiction.
He is also the author of a children’s book, The Adventures of Shay Mouse(1985), and a collection of linked short stories, Mondo Desperado, published in 1999. His play Frank Pig Says Hello, which he adapted from The Butcher Boy, was first performed at the Dublin Theatre Festival in 1992. The play is published in Far from the Land: Contemporary Irish Plays (1998), edited by John Fairleigh. A film adaptation of The Butcher Boy directed by Neil Jordan was first screened in 1996. His short stories have been published in the Irish Times and the Cork Examiner and his work has been broadcast by RTÉ in Ireland and the BBC.
Patrick McCabes' novel, Emerald Germs of Ireland (2001), is a black comedy featuring matricide Pat McNab and his attempts to fend off nosy neighbours. His novel, Winterwood, was published in 2006, and was named the 2007 Hughes & Hughes/Irish Independent Irish Novel of the Year. His latest novels are The Holy City (2008) and The Stray Sod Country (2010). He has collaborated with Livin Dred, Cavan’s professional theatre company.
For further information contact Catriona O’Reilly, Arts Office Tel (049) 437 8546
catrionaoreilly@cavancoco.ie
or Emer Coveney, Social Inclusion Unit Tel (049) 437 8581
