Someone Who'll Watch Over Me
Written by Frank McGuinness
Tuesday 23rd February to Saturday 27th February 2010
Directed by Lorraine Galliers
An Englishman, an Irishman and an American. In a Cell. In Beirut. Kidnapped. What does it take to survive a life in chains, when your only weapons are hope, humour and the sheer determination to not give in? This play is a fantastic journey into the soul - an emotional roller-coaster that will make you laugh, cry and affirm your faith in the depth and strength of the human spirit.
previous
production
next
production
AuthorFrank McGuinness
Frank McGuinness (b 1953)
McGuinness was born in Buncrana, a town located on the Inishowen Peninsula of County Donegal, Ireland. He was educated locally and at University College Dublin, where he studied Pure English and medieval studies. He first came to prominence with his play 'The Factory Girls' and established his reputation with his play about World War I, 'Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme', which was staged in Dublin's Abbey Theatre and internationally. It won numerous awards including the London Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright for McGuinness. He has also written new versions of classic dramas, including works by Henrik Ibsen, Anton Chekhov, and Euripides, adapting the literal translations of others. In addition, he wrote the screenplay for the film 'Dancing at Lughnasa', adapting the stage play by fellow Irishman Brian Friel.
McGuinness's first poetry anthology, Booterstown, was published in 1994. Several of his poems have been recorded by Marianne Faithfull, including Electra, After the Ceasefire and The Wedding. He has lectured in Linguistics and Drama at the University of Ulster, Medieval Studies at University College, Dublin and English at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. Following that he was a writer-in-residence lecturing at University College Dublin before being appointed Professor of creative writing in the School of English, Drama and Film at University College Dublin.
top of page
'Someone Who'll Watch over Me' was first staged in 1992, at the Hampstead Theatre, London. It was also produced on Broadway at the Booth Theatre, opening later that year and running for 292 performances. It received Tony Award nominations for Best Play and Best Actor and the play won the 1993 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Foreign Play.
'Someone Who'll Watch over Me' focuses on the trials and tribulations of an Irishman, an Englishman and an American (Edward, Michael, and Adam) who are kidnapped and held hostage by unseen Arabs in Lebanon. As the three men strive for survival they also strive to overcome their personal and nationalistic differences. Related to this is each individual's own attempt to maintain sanity under the watchful eye of both captors and supposed comrades. At times the dramatic dialogue reaches a level of Beckettinian absurdity, as even the audience is unable to draw a distinction between the characters' insanity and humour. We are made witness and accomplice to a humour based on something apparently ghastly, the loss of rationality.
top of page
This play was staged at The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre (formerly Havant Arts Centre), East Street Havant - Bench Theatre's home since 1977. The production was nominated for 'Best Amateur Drama' and David Penrose was Runner-up as 'Best Amateur Actor' for his portrayal of Michael, in The News 'Guide' Awards 2010.
| Adam | Richard Le Moignan |
| Edward | Dan Finch |
| Michael | David Penrose |
Crew
| Director | Lorraine Galliers |
| Assistant Director | Ingrid Corrigan |
| Producer | Robin Hall |
| Stage Manager | Paul Millington
Zoë Chapman |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Zoë Chapman |
| Lighting Design | Andrew Caple |
| Sound Design | Sarah Parnell |
| Lighting Operation | Andrew Caple |
| Sound Operation | Mark Wakeman |
Production Photographs
