WWI play to be staged at Ebrington

The already critically acclaimed WWI drama will be taking up residence in the newly restored Barracks on Saturday, March 13 and Sunday, March 14.

Fresh from sell out performances in its home turf at the Playhouse on February 25, 26 and 27, audiences all over Ireland have been queuing up to see the Oscar-nominated writer’s latest play, which tells the story of a squad member stationed in Ebrington Barracks in 1916.

Often referred to as the “poet of the blackbirds,” poet-soldier Francis Ledwidge was an Irish Nationalist who joined the British Army, and was killed in action on the opening day of the Third Battle of Ypres during World War I.

In this exhilarating, entertaining and engaging dramatisation, Ledwidge faces questions relevant to the soldiers of this day.

He and his squad members ask the questions: “Why return to the front when we have already survived three campaigns? …Can we trick death again?…Should we desert?”

The play stormed the box office on its premier at The Project Art Centre in Dublin’s Temple Bar and again at The Theatre of Witness in Belfast, putting the Playhouse on the map as a leading producing theatre.

Now, in an exciting collaboration with ILEX, the play’s performance at Ebrington Barracks, where Ledwidge was stationed during his time in Derry, is set to be all the more powerful.

“This play is not just a success in Derry, it is putting the Playhouse on the map as one of the leading producing theatres” Niall McCaughan, general manager at the Playhouse, said.

“It is reaffirming that Derry has a very healthy theatre sector and is more than deserving of the title of city of culture.”

The performance at Ebrington Barracks will be held on Saturday, March 13 and Sunday, March 14 at 8pm.

Tickets for ‘Still, The Blackbird Sings’ are 10 / 8 (con) / 6 (School Rate) and are now on sale at the Playhouse Box office on (028) 71268027 or online at www.derryplayhouse.co.uk.