Song of the Yellow Bittern

This play mixes a love story with a ghost story when a Protestant woman brings a Catholic priest to court for a paternity lawsuit many events and people all become apart of the story. As the lawsuit unravels secrets are found and seven generations in the small community are all involved in the case.

‘the sensitive hand of the director Maelíosa Stafford is evident in the pace and and tuning of the whole’- The Irish Times, 23 September 1994
‘seamlessly performed…the play’s evocation of times past is heightened by exquisite lighting and music…do not miss it’- Belfast Telegraph, 15 November 1994
‘gripping…compelling….spine chilling…a truly unforgettable piece of theatre’- The Sunday Tribune, 25 September 1994

Credits

Cast

  • Fr. John O’Dwyer Brendan Laird
  • Bess/ Mother Ger Ryan
  • Frank Bhess/ Son Frank Laverty
  • Brian Ray McBride
  • Mary/ Sally Elizabeth Byrne
  • Bee Sheila Meaney
  • Jimmy Alan Kelly
  • Conn Enda Kilroy
  • The Tailor Frankie McCafferty

Creative Team

  • Director Maelíosa Stafford
  • Design Monica Frawley
  • Music Brendan O’Regan
  • Dance Ray McBride
  • Lighting Design Tina McHugh
  • Costume Design Monica Frawley

Production Team

  • Production Manager Tony Killeen
  • Tour Managers Anne Butler
  • Moya McHugh
  • Stage Managers Bernie Walsh
  • Angela Duffy
  • Assistant Stage Manager Ian Kilroy
  • Technicians/Operators Eamonn Fox
  • Rory Armitage
  • Andrew Smyth
  • Set Construction Alan Clarke
  • Frank Gleeson
  • Costume Construction Monica Ennis
  • Costume Construction Assistants Anja Sammon
  • Helen Lane
  • Orfhlaith Stafford
  • Gentleman’s Tailoring Denis Darcy
  • Crew Bernie Walsh
  • Eamonn Fox
  • Frank Gleeson
  • Norman Price
  • Pete Ashton
  • Scenic Artist (Set) Ele Wood
  • Scenic Artist (Tree) Áine Philips
  • Production Photography Amelia Stein
  • Poster Photograph Aengus McMahon
  • Poster Design CAT Design
  • Tour Transport Swift Transport
  • Advertising Mary McPartlan
  • Box Office Elizabeth Burke
  • Front of House Linda Barrett
  • Yvonne Barrett
  • Elizabeth Burke
  • Denise Stafford
  • Orfhlaith Stafford
  • Natalie McCambridge
  • Ann O’Dea
  • Consultant Publicist Tomás Hardiman
  • Artistic Director Maelíosa Stafford
  • General Manager Jane Daly
  • Administrator Anne Butler
  • Assistant Administrator Moya McHugh
  • Trainee Arts Administrators Maria Fleming
  • Mary O’Callaghan
  • Script Advisor Charlie McBride