Since it opened its doors, axis has hosted the very best in national and international arts practice. axis’ award-winning production team regularly produces and stages original work and these productions are now taking their place on stages abroad and throughout Ireland. Some of the productions that axis have taken on tour are;

Walking the Road

by Dermot Bolger.

'You could be famous, Frank, have your words printed in the Drogheda Independent.'

Lance Corporal Francis Ledwidge lost his life in Flanders Fields, 1917 while serving with the British army in WWI. One of Ireland’s finest poets, Ledwidge left the familiarity of his Co. Meath home and loved ones and joined the British army 'at seven shillings a week, a shilling more than London magazines paid for a line of poetry.'

Hovering in the hazy half-light of memories and regrets, this beautiful new play from Dermot Bolger follows Francis Ledwidge’s final journey as he finds himself ‘walking the road’ alongside all of those who had touched his life. But where is Francis walking to? And will any of them ever see home?

Marking the 90th anniversary of the 3rd Battle of Ypres in 1917, ‘Walking The Road’ is produced by axis, ballymun in association with the ‘In Flanders Fields’ museum in Ypres,
Belgium, and will receive its world premiere in axis before transferring to Ypres Town Theatre, Belgium.

Dermot Bolger is one of Ireland’s best-known writers, and axis is proud to continue its association with the author who brought Ballymun to the professional stage with ‘From These Green Heights’ (Winner Best New Play 2004) and ‘The Townlands of Brazil’.

Venues                              Dates

axis, Ballymun                     Tuesday 5th– Saturday June 9th 2007
Flanders Fields, Belgium        Wednesday 13th– Saturday 16th June 2007
Civic Theatre, Tallaght         Thursday 12th – Saturday 14th July 2007
Solstice Arts Centre, Navan   Saturday 28th – Sunday 29th July 2007
 

The Mental

The Mental was produced by axis in 2006 as the centrepiece to Out of The Silence, and Arts in Mental Health festival, which occurred in several venues around Ireland.

‘The Mental’ is a powerful commission bringing to light the story of Ireland’s forgotten charges in institutions throughout the country. ‘The Mental’ opened to rave reviews in May 2006 and garnered huge media attention and critical acclaim as a ground-breaking production which addressed the stigma surrounding mental health issues and portrayed them in a touching, humorous, poignant and ultimately human manner.

The play is about a Donegal boy, Joe Boyle, who fails to fit in. It is about his struggle to find a safe place in the world, which only leads him further down a road of frustration, isolation,
and ultimately breakdown. In St. Conal’s institution Letterkenny he becomes aware of a past resident Seosamh Mac Grianna, the Irish language writer, who spent the last thirty years of his life there. But whereas Seosamh decided “Nothing would make me talk. I never spoke about the thing which was on my mind. I was defending my soul” Joe Boyle wants to express his soul through music.

'The Mental' features original songs and live music from sean-nós to New York punk by Little John Nee, Laura Sheerin and Nuala Ní Chanainn. This gem of a play was widely acclaimed when it premiered in 2006 and has been invited to tour Ireland in 2007.

Reviews for The Mental

'Little John plots Joe’s journey as a personal history, allowing a rich and complex portrait of his character to come through'
Sara Keating, The Irish Times

'Little John Nee, as actor and writer, has become a representative Irish figure and commentator, and never more so than here'
Gerry Colgan, The Irish Times 

'Its beauty lies in its charm, but its depth lies in its message'
Rachel Andrews, Sunday Tribune

'…Brings the audience to their feet in one of the most enthusiastic ovations I have seen in a long time'
Colin Murphy, Village Magazine

Venue                                            Dates

The Town Hall Theatre, Galway            Wednesday 20th – Sunday 24th June 2007
axis, Ballymun                                   Wednesday 26th – Saturday 30th June 2007

Contact

For any more information on axis' production company, please contact either Ray Yeates , axis' Director/CEO on (01) 883 2152 or Niamh Ní Chonchubhair, axis' Programme Manager, directly on (01) 883 2148.