Drama on Newstalk

The story of a great Irish poet and the teacher who helped her fear of speaking in public.Principal Anne sees a rolled up ball of paper fall out of Mary Ogun-Banwo's schoolbag. She opens it to reveal a beautiful poem, written fully in the Irish language. Reluctantly, Mary allows her to enter it the All Ireland Schools Poetry Competition and it gets to the final, where she’ll have to read it on live national television! Mary now realises she suffers from chronic stage fright, so Principal Anne sends her to study with unorthodox teacher and trained counsellor, James Jones, in order to help her delve into her past and figure out what’s holding her back. This is a story of a reluctant poet’s rise to win the All Ireland Schools Poetry Competition and the teachers who helped her overcome her stage fright by confronting her personal traumas.‘Speak Through Your Silence' is broadcast on Newstalk on Sunday 17th November with repeat broadcast on Saturday 23rd November.More information on this programme can be found at: www.irishaudiodrama.com.Podcast available at newstalk.com/podcasts/drama-on-newstalk after the broadcast.‘Speak Through Your Silence ’was produced by Jonathan Farrelly and Katerina Economides and was supported by Coimisiun na Mean through the television licence fee. Jonathan Farrelly is a writer and documentarian, specialising in sport and historical drama. Katerina Economides is a writer and Doctor of Humanities, specialising in Folklore, Myth and Future Studies.

This weekend, Documentary & Drama on Newstalk airs the premiere of Third Time Lucky, a topical comedy-drama in which IMRO-nominated producer Brian Gallagher explores the tensions that arise when allotment holders discover that there is pyrite in their community centre.Third Time Lucky is told partly from the perspective of Councillor Benny Kelly, a slippery local representative who has crossed swords with the residents in the past but who this time sees an opportunity to win favour.With long-standing grievances between members of the allotment committee bubbling below the surface, tempers flare when reactionary Mick Delaney insults an official from the local council – who threatens to close the community centre because of fire and safety irregularities.Meanwhile with government pyrite funding only available for dwelling places, Benny comes under pressure to find some way of obtaining funding for the residents.The stakes are raised when Emma Johnson, a journalist who is also on the committee, writes an inflammatory article for her newspaper regarding dodgy builders – with whom Benny has had under-the-counter dealings.The pressure gets to Benny, who has a heart attack, causing him to re-evaluate his purpose in life. But can the leopard really change his spots? And can he be trusted, or is it too good to be true, when he cooks up a scheme to save the clubhouse from closure?Starring Claudia Carroll, Mark O’Regan, and Sharon Hogan, Third Time Lucky was written and produced by Brian Gallagher.  Third Time Lucky will be broadcast on Newstalk 106-108fm on Sunday 29th September at 7am with repeat broadcast on Saturday 5th October at 9pm.Third Time Lucky can also be listened to online at: www.newstalk.ie. Podcast available at: newstalk.ie/documentaryonnewstalk after the broadcast.

The S.P.A. Weekend is a spooky and hilarious new audio drama written by Emily Gillmor Murphy and produced by the award-winning production team of Hugh Hick and Heather MacLeod.The S.P.A. Weekend will be broadcast on Newstalk on Sunday 11th August at 7am, repeated Saturday 17th August at 9pm, and will be available as a podcast, on GoLoud and all major platforms. Billie and Sophie are booked into a S.P.A. (Supernatural, Paranormal, Activity) weekend with a difference in the infamous Manor Hill House – a place full of bizarre characters and even more bizarre stories. But will they find the ghosts within the walls of the hotel or in their own pasts?One part Fawlty Towers and one part Agatha Christie, The S.P.A. Weekend takes a fresh and witty look at what ghosts still lurk in 21st century Ireland and what we do about them.This is Emily’s second collaboration with Heather and Hugh, after the Prix-Europa nominated drama The Horror Writer. Emily’s sharp and twisting script for the drama was previously shortlisted for 2022 P.J. O’Connor Radio Drama Awards.The cast is led by Lorna Fox and Chloe O’Reilly as two best friends in over their heads when what should be a relaxing weekend together turns into a chaotic mix of hidden secrets, paranormal activity and an out-of-control dog.Rounding out the cast is Mary Murray (BBC Audio Drama Award ‘Best Actress’ winner 2023) alongside Karl Quinn, Donncha O’Dea and Katie McCann. Original music for the play was composed by pianist Justin McCann while Peter Dunne of the internationally acclaimed horror-anthology podcast ‘Petrified’ served as script editor.The S.P.A. Weekend was made with the support of Coimisiún na Mean with the television licence fee.

This goes back over a hundred years for a drama set in the midst of the ‘Spanish Flu’.During the 1918 ‘Spanish Flu’ pandemic, a desperate father brings his sick daughter to find the ‘Miracle Well’ in Gubacreeny.‘1918 Ireland: Having just lost his wife from Spanish Flu, a desperate father vows to bring his sick daughter through a politically divided Ireland to find the ‘Miracle Well’ in Gubacreeny, a place rumoured to cure the illness.’Based on the written accounts by the Irish during the Spanish Flu, this story is a fictionalised version of a local Meath legend. In it, a father (Sean Sheridan) brought his sick daughter (Mary Sheridan) in a cart to the ‘Miracle Well’ in Gubacreeny, Co Leitrim. The cart got stuck and the horse pulling the cart was shot by a roving gang. Sean had to bring her the rest of the way on foot. This ‘Miracle Well’ in Gubacreeny was apparently blessed by the local priest and anyone that visited it was cured of the ‘Big Flu’.

Drama on Newstalk presents SANDWICH, an original radio comedy-drama that follows a frazzled single mum, Eleanor, who is plunged into turmoil when her eco-activist teen daughter, Hazel, is arrested for holding the Minister of the Environment hostage live on TV. While trying to dissuade the police from charging her, Eleanor learns that her estranged and difficult mother with dementia, Phyllis, has a crisis of her own and can no longer live alone. As Eleanor is an only child, she has no choice but to drag a resistant Hazel across the country to her backwater home town of Craughbeg to look after Phyllis. Eleanor hates being back and has made a promise to Hazel (and herself) that this arrangement is temporary – just enough time to find a suitable nursing home for Phyllis. Craughbeg holds too many painful memories, not least Eleanor’s shameful secret – the identity of Hazel’s biological father. How will the three generations cope with this new living arrangement and will Eleanor manage to keep the secrets of the past buried? Sandwich looks at the multigenerational squeeze, a predicament that an increasing number of people, mostly women, find themselves in – having to care for both children and elderly parents. This is the Sandwich Generation.SANDWICH was written and directed by Anna Merritt & Deborah Wiseman. It was produced and edited by Amy O’Dwyer. The cast are Deborah Wiseman, Evanne Kilgallon, Deirdre Monaghan, Donncha O’Dea and Mary Murray.Funded by Coimisiún na Mean with the Television Licence Fee.

Drama on Newstalk presents a new drama produced by Jonathan Farrelly and Katerina Economides.  Lansdowne ‘73 is a fictionalised version of historical events. ln January 1973, the English Rugby Team came to play lreland at Lansdowne, nearly a year to the day of Bloody Sunday... even though they were warned there could be a bomb in the stadium.This is a fictionalised version and an alternate history of that fateful game. Two Garda are tasked with defusing the bomb before it goes off… but in order to save the day, they need to learn to tolerate each other first!  Lansdowne ‘73 was produced by Jonathan Farrelly and Katerina Economides. The programme was funded by the Coimisiún na Meán with the television licence fee. Acting Credits: JP Wright, Olivia Kenna, Gary Kenna, Katerina Economides, Marty AVG, Jonny Farrelly, Mark Manning and Michael Ryan.

Drama on Newstalk presents “The Man Who Talks To Statues”. An original radio drama that tells the story of Darryl, a thirty-year-old Corkonian.Darryl crashes his father’s car, following which he goes on a magic realist road trip to Limerick and Dublin, encountering characters ranging from suspicious locals to deceased celebrities and historical figures. Darryl has a unique capacity for speaking to statues and during the story he interacts with characters such as Richard Harris, Phil Lynott and Molly Malone.Darryl’s road trip includes acts of hedonism, aggression, denial and punch-drunk self-reflection. He is more than a little bit lost and we’re never quite sure what’s real or what’s imagined or, indeed, if it’s salvation or an escape route he’s looking for.Written and performed by Shane Casey (The Young Offenders) and produced by Ruth Hayes (Whispers) The Man Who Talks To Statues is a contemporary story of a young man lost.Reflecting a sense of disconnect and disenfranchisement which is so often present in young men in today’s Irish culture. According to the report by the Men’s Health forum published in 2020 by Dr Paula Devine and Dr Erin Early under the title Men’s Health in Numbers (MHFI pg 16.) ‘The mental health of males in the Republic of Ireland and NI is of increasing concern.’ Though mental health is one of the underlying themes, The Man Who talks to Statues aims to bring us on an entertaining and energetic journey with the main character DARRYL.‘The Man Who Talks To Statues’ was written and performed by Shane Casey. Produced by Ruth Hayes. Directed by Brian Desmond. Sound Design and Sound Engineer Cormac O Connor. Additional Cast Michael Sands and Ruth HayesThe programme was produced with funding from the Coimisiún na Meán Sound and Vision scheme.

‘Murdered while ploughing a field in Meath, belonging to his uncle, Mark Clinton was the victim of a widespread campaign by ex-British soldiers to grab land and re-divide it before the dawn of the Irish Free State. A group of local volunteers spent the next three months (and beyond) avenging his death.’  Synopsis:  This is based on a true story from May 1920 (ending in 1923) that shows the chaotic social landscape in Ireland at the time. This is a commemorative piece to remember some of the atrocities that happened in the lead up to the inception of the Irish Free State. It’s a glimpse into a country caught in a ‘leadership vacuum’, where law and order were a lot different than today. The story starts in 1920, but ends on the 6th of January, 1923, when the volunteers who avenged Mark’s death, finally got a land governed by their ‘own’. 'The Murder Of Mark Clinton’ was Produced by Jonathan Farrelly and was funded by Coimisiún Na Meán with the Television Licence Fee.  Acting Credits: Stephen Gillick, John Grant, Dara Swaine, Mark Smyth, Seamus Waters, Mark Coffee, Gary Kenna, Amrit Sandhu and Michael Ryan.

Playwright Colin Murphy brings an ancient classic right up the present day in Antigone, the story of a plague, a refugee crisis, a coup, and a body too dangerous to be buried. A plague. A refugee crisis. A coup. This is #ANTIGONE - a dystopian alternative Ireland in which the worst fears of the pandemic have been realised, social order has collapsed, and a military government is attempting to restore order by setting a brutal example.Antigone is the classic account of the conflict between the individual and the State. It is the story of a body too toxic to be buried, a State afraid of a funeral, a people under siege, a city under curfew, a collapse in political authority, and a conflict between loyalty to family and duty to state.In this new version, General Críon, the first female head of the armed forces, has seized power in a coup, in a bid to defend the State both from the plague that is ravaging Europe and from the influx of refugees that are desperately trying to escape the plague. Críon has given her troops licence to turn back refugee boats at sea and shoot new migrants arriving on our shores, under the pretext that they may be carrying contagion, and ordered that the dead bodies not be touched, for fear of infection.Meanwhile, her son, Éamonn, an aid worker in the refugee camp, has fallen in love with a refugee, Antigone. When Antigone’s brother's body washes up on the beach, Antigone flouts Críon's edict against burial, risking both infection and punishment.Críon fears not merely the spread of the literal contagion, but a moral contagion arising from Antigone’s disobedience, and sentences Antigone, her would-be daughter-in-law, to death.Funded by Coimisiún na Meán, #ANTIGONE is a new version of the 2,500-year-old Sophocles play by Colin Murphy, written in response to the pandemic. It draws out these contemporary resonances, provoking insight into the socio-political fault lines of recent history: the trauma of not being able to properly mourn our dead; the extreme restriction of individual rights in the name of the greater good; the heightened fear of the other (both in the pandemic and in successive migration "crises"); the potential abuse of an emergency to consolidate state power.Colin Murphy is one of the country’s leading political dramatists. He has written numerous plays on Irish political history, most recently The Treaty for Fishamble: the New Play Company; his screenplays include The Guarantee and The Bailout. His new play, The United States Versus Ulysses, will premiere at the Pavilion Dun Laoghaire this November.Credits:Antigone was written and produced by Colin Murphy and directed by Aoife Spillane-Hinks. Incidental music, sound design, post-production and editing was by Simon Kenny.It was funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television Licence Fee, and with additional support from the Arts Council.Antigone was played by Leah MintoCríon was played by Derbhle CrottyÉamonn was played by Rowan FinkenIsmene was played by Shauna HarrisTraolach was played by Arthur RiordanSophie Messenger was played by Karen ArdiffTheo Elder was played by Morgan JonesProfessor Choragos was played by Jonathan WhiteThe Guard was played by Killian Scott 

Set in an Irish coastal town threatened by sea level rise, the story follows two researchers tasked with interviewing the remaining residents about the area's past, present and uncertain future. The researchers hold opposing views about the importance of their work and, as they learn more about the people they meet, their differences of opinion reach breaking point. It is a story set in the near future but very much drawing on the concerns of today, delving into contemporary debates around our relationship with nature, activism, migration and the challenges facing rural communities. Changing Coasts was performed by Kwaku Fortune (Normal People, Hidden Assets), Geraldine McAlinden (The Last Rifleman, Bad Sisters), Maria McDermottroe (The Dead, Glenroe), Paul Murphy (Aisha), Brian Mulvey (Foundation) and Aleesha Joe (Bad Sisters). Sound recording was by Stephen McHale, music by Emer Landers and editing by Rob Flynn. Changing Coasts is a Bear Print Media production funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the television license fee.

Newstalk presents a new radio drama, ‘How I Murdered Lucrezia’ adapted from a short story by Órfhlaith Foyle. Set in an Irish secondary school, outside Galway city, it is a meditation on lust, violence and obsession. A High School shooting has taken place with recently arrived student Lucrezia the victim. Her killer is a boy named Jones Maddox, who commits the act under coercion from Caitlin Purcell. Caitlin is a former friend of Lucrezia, who continues to harbour an infatuation with her. The story follows Caitlin and Jones’ descent into fury and the ultimate act of killing. This contemporary radio drama deals with pertinent themes of violence and racism in the school system. It skewers teen culture, bullying and social media throughout. Caitlin is a sociopath and Jones is under her spell. Her actions are prefaced by a disturbed home life and rejection by her friend Lucrezia. The tension builds as the play reaches its horrible denouement. The audience is asked to question its loyalties as the main characters go a step too far and commit the heinous crime in a thought provoking and entertaining drama. ‘How I Murdered Lucrezia’ was written and directed by Órfhlaith Foyle. Produced, recorded and edited by Alan Meaney. Script Editing by Gabrielle Fullam. Music composed and performed by Eamonn Bailey. The cast are Anais Rizzo, Shannon Martin, Shane McDonagh, Joan Gildea, Eimir Creedon, Austin Prior, Aoibhé Hopkins and Jimi McDonnell. The programme was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, with the Televison Licence Fee. ‘How I Murdered Lucrezia' is adapted from Órfhlaith Foyle’s short story of same title and was first published in The Wales Arts Review then later published in her second short story collection 'Clemency Browne Dreams of Gin' (Arlen House) in 2015. She has adapted it for radio for this project.

Drama on Newstalk presents the premiere of “HIGH DENSITY”, in which IMRO-nominated producer Brian Gallagher explores the tensions that arise in a community when one resident in a small cul-de-sac refuses to sell her home to a developer who wants to build apartments on the site. Starring Marion O’Dwyer, Claudia Carroll, and Mark O’Regan, “HIGH DENSITY” was written and produced by Brian Gallagher. The programme was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television License Fee.

What happens when the stupidest man in Irish history is charged with expelling the British Empire from Ireland? Sniper Joe & Sister Jim answers this question and more in a new radio comedy drama for Newstalk. As Ireland enters the final year of centenaries commemorating its ‘decade of change’, Sniper Joe & Sister Jim proposes an alternative account of the happenings a century ago, which changed Ireland forever. It reimagines some of the creation myths surrounding the foundation of the Irish state shining a light on the opportunism and misogyny that sneaked in after all the visionaries died fighting for Irish freedom. Set against a cartooned backdrop of the Irish War of Independence, the play follows sniper gunner Joe Mahon on a heroic quest for the Irish Republican Motherhood, as he avenges the death of his ‘most probable’ father and protects the honour of his unfussy mother. Guided by ‘a foul-mouthed spiritual advisor named ‘Sister Jim’ and a beginner’s guide to sniper gunning (presented by John McCormack himself), Joe becomes entangled in a web of paranoid British army officers along with Irish rebels who hate each other more than they hate the British. Worst of all, a pair of civil servants on overtime are overseeing the whole charade with forms to be filled before the British can be booted out of Ireland. Sniper Joe’s arch-enemy is General Sir John Poulet, commander-in-chief of the British Army in Ireland. Poulet’s task of subduing the Irish is interrupted by a series of prank telephone calls from ‘Ramon Validera’ and ‘Colin Michaels’, both set on driving the occupier out of Ireland by driving them out of their minds. Worse for Poulet is the unimaginable hardship of redecorating his office in a time of war, and the incompetence he faces from his own ranks, most notably the thorn in his side, Lt. Redmond Herring, an insufferable whining conscientious objector looking to somehow reconcile the differences between Britain and Ireland. Sniper Joe & Sister Jim is a Maccana Teoranta radio production for Newstalk funded by the BAI Sound and Vision scheme. This full-length radio play is performed by Tina Kellegher (Ballykissangel, Fair City), Mikel Murfi (Jimmy’s Hall, Barabas), Geri Maye (The Den, Winning Streak), Pat Deery (Exiled in Ireland) and Séamus McRory. The play was penned by Seamus McRory who previously co-wrote and co-produced the Gumgoogly series for RTE as well as The Maroon Bros. Good Time Radio Show for Newstalk. This is the third time he has worked with Kevin McCann. McCann directed and produced Sniper Joe & Sister Jim, and previously wrote/ directed the award-winning radio series ‘Coma’ for Newstalk. Music is by Sophína NíCana.

Set in Waterford city, ‘An End of Term’ charts the decline of a marriage. Following a series of frustrating Counselling sessions and a series of uncomfortable telephone conversations, Michael , a school teacher and his wife Maura, a Hairdresser, attempt to reconnect their increasingly diverging lives. However, in doing so, all they reveal are milestones on the path of their declining relationship. When an ongoing illness adds further to their problems, attempts at a ‘last chance’ reconciliation may prove to be a final solution or a final straw… ‘An End of Term’ is one of a Trilogy of plays. IMRO Bronze Award winning ‘Terms and Conditions’(2017) and ‘Mid Term Break’(2021) were previously produced for Radio. Executive Producer, Michael Grant brings together a talented and widely experienced cast for the final play. Andrew Holden and Emma Walsh are two of Waterford’s finest actors. Michael is played by Andrew Holden. Maura is played by Emma Walsh. Sound by Heather Troy-Whelan. Executive Producer Michael Grant. Recorded at Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford. AN END OF TERM was written and produced by Noel Kelly and was supported by a grant from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as part of the Sound and Vision scheme.

A modern reimagining of Samuel Beckett’s classic play, Waiting for Godot - as an unrelenting satire on the worldwide budget airline industry. Waiting for Faro was written by Eoin Byrne, directed by Jennifer Griffin and produced by Sarah Eva Manson, with location sound recording and foley by Roger Gregg. Edited by Sound Entertaining and produced by Purple.ie and was supported by a grant from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as part of the Sound And Vision Scheme.

“The Piana Man” is a one episode drama/musical/comedy about a tourist town entertainer, Danny Boylan - referred to by the venue's owner, Nancy Crowley, as "Danny Boy - to appeal to the Irish Americans". To his face she calls him her "people magnet" and that he certainly is. All goes sweetly through the first season. They plan to do even better the following year but there is an unexplained breakdown in communication. “The Piana Man” is written by Dezy Walls, directed by Ann Shanahan and features, Dezy Walls, Lisa Marie Murphy, Andrew "Skatz" Scattergood, Susan Hennessy, Michael Ryan, Sean Kelleher and Terry Gordon. It was produced at Creation Studios, County Kerry. “The Piana Man”, by Dezy Walls, was funded by the BAI under the sound and vision scheme.

The latest radio drama to be broadcast by Newstalk 106 – 108fm as part of its weekly Documentary & Drama On Newstalk series is ‘Belong’. ‘Belong’ is an original radio drama by Fred O’Connor & Daithí McMahon about one man’s experience of homelessness in modern Dublin The radio premiere of ‘Belong’ airs on Newstalk 106-108fm on Sunday 26th July at 7am, with a repeat broadcast on Saturday 1st August at 9pm. Podcast goes live after first broadcast.    'Belong’ is a contemporary radio drama set in Dublin, told from the perspective of Christy - a single homeless man in his late fifties. Following the breakup of a long-term relationship he loses his job due to his mental health issues and is evicted from his bedsit when the property owner decides to convert the building into luxury apartments. Unable to find affordable accommodation, Christy is forced to take refuge in emergency hostels but eventually ends up sleeping rough on the streets. Christy's depression makes him extremely anxious, withdrawn, and afraid of connecting with new people or reaching out for help. Despite this, Christy befriends Kevin, a young man who spent much of his youth being abused while in foster care and now living on the streets. A rehabilitation opportunity emerges which can save Christy - but can he help Kevin avoid a life on the streets? In the radio drama, ‘Belong’ the authors aim to raise awareness for the homeless crisis in Ireland, and give those struggling on the streets a national voice. In highlighting the plethora of challenges facing those struggling to maintain a roof over their head, the issue of spiralling property crisis which is impacting generations of vulnerable people across the country is laid bare. Another key focus of the drama is the cultural stigma around mental health issues, the lack of key support services for those with limited means, and the resulting struggle for those affected to reach out and access help. The drama is also in recognition of the many staff and volunteers who are helping those on the streets of Ireland every day of the year through organisations such as the Simon Community, Focus Ireland and many more. This project was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence Fee. ‘Belong’ is brought to you by the multi-award winning team at Henchman Productions that brought the previous audio dramas Home Again, Matches and Yummy Mummy to Newstalk. The team has won six New York Festivals International Radio Awards, competed at the Prix Europa in 2015 and 2016 and won Best Drama at the PPI Radio Awards 2015. CREDITS: ‘Belong’ is a Henchman production written and directed by Fred O’Connor and Daithí McMahon. The drama was produced by Daithí McMahon and Aisling O’Connor and recorded at Tinpot Productions with sound by Sean Byrne. The role of Christy was played Morgan C. Jones with performances by Karen Scully, Ken Fletcher, Aoibheann McCann, Laura Kelly, Caroline Power and Fiach Kunz. Selected musical pieces by Kevin MacLeod. Funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence Fee. Sound And Vision Funding Scheme: Sound and Vision is a funding scheme for television and radio that provides funding in support of high quality programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience, and programmes to improve adult literacy. The scheme is managed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. BROADCAST: The radio premiere of ‘Belong’ airs on Newstalk 106-108fm on Sunday 26th July at 7am, with a repeat broadcast on Saturday 1st August at 9pm. Podcast goes live after first broadcast.    LISTEN LIVE ONLINE: ‘Belong’ can also be listened to online at: www.newstalk.com PODCAST: ‘Belong’ is broadcast as part of the Documentary and Drama On Newstalk Series, which showcases the best of original, homegrown and groundbreaking Irish Radio features. Podcast full series here:  https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/page/1/filter?filter_selected=show-filter&show=documentary-drama-newstalk&series=all Listen and subscribe to Drama on Newstalk on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.    Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.      

Premiere of new Irish radio drama on gangland feuds The latest radio drama to be broadcast by Newstalk 106 – 108fm as part of its weekly Documentary & Drama On Newstalk series is Idlewild. In Idlewild, producer Brian Gallagher brings us his radio adaptation of Jimmy Murphy’s stage-play, a drama in which the leaders of two feuding crime groups meet to explore the possibility of a radical sacrifice to end their bloody feud… The radio premiere of ‘Idlewild’ airs on Newstalk 106-108fm on Sunday 12th July at 7am, with a repeat broadcast on Saturday 18th July at 9pm. Podcast goes live after first broadcast.     IMRO-nominated producer Brian Gallagher’s latest work is an adaptation of renowned playwright Jimmy Murphy's powerful and topical drama, Idlewild, which deals with a murderous gangland feud... The Rev and The Bunny are the leaders of two feuding crime groups who meet, under truce, at a Dublin graveyard.  Former boyhood friends, they have both ordered the killing of members each other’s families, but have agreed to meet in person to try to stop the escalating death toll. Their complicated back story emerges as they dig a grave – for whom it’s not clear.  We learn of their shared experiences and strong bonds – but bonds that have been sundered by violence and betrayal. The scale of the cost of their crimes to society and their respective families becomes clear, and we learn that they have agreed that a radical sacrifice is the only way to end their bloody feud... Based on a successful stage play that toured Ireland, Idlewild translates well to the medium of radio, with the shifting dynamic between the two gang leaders evocatively created with dialogue, music, and sound effects. Featuring Rex Ryan and Ruairi Heading, Idlewild was written by Jimmy Murphy and adapted for radio and produced and directed by Brian Gallagher.   The programme was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television License Fee. BROADCAST: The radio premiere of ‘Idlewild’ airs on Newstalk 106-108fm on Sunday 12th July at 7am, with a repeat broadcast on Saturday 18th July at 9pm. Podcast goes live after first broadcast.    PODCAST: Idlewild is broadcast as part of the Documentary and Drama On Newstalk Series, which showcases the best of original, homegrown and groundbreaking Irish Radio features. Podcast full series here:  https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/page/1/filter?filter_selected=show-filter&show=documentary-drama-newstalk&series=all Sound And Vision Funding Scheme: Sound and Vision is a funding scheme for television and radio that provides funding in support of high quality programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience, and programmes to improve adult literacy. The scheme is managed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. Listen and subscribe to Documentary on Newstalk on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.    Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

New Spy Thriller airs on Newstalk The latest homegrown radio drama to be broadcast as part of the Drama On Newstalk series is The Dead Key, a contemporary spy thriller by Alan Meaney and Jason Gill.  This weekend, Drama on Newstalk are proud to broadcast the premiere of a new original Irish radio drama, The Dead Key. In The Dead Key, Producer Alan Meaney and director Jason Gill fashion a contemporary spy thriller and tale of family loyalty... Brendan Grattan was a young writer with the world at his feet, until a sex scandal caused him to spend the rest of his life in disgrace and silence. Back in Ireland for Brendan’s memorial, his niece Stephanie begins to doubt the official explanation of his disgrace. Was Brendan innocent after all? And if so, did his dishonour hide another, infinitely more terrible secret? Her probing introduces her to different associates from Brendan’s life; Marina, his mysterious former Russian lover and British spy David Prentice who demands to know if her uncle has passed on any ‘secrets’ after his death. The Dead Key unfolds over two episodes through Brendan’s posthumous narrative, spoken into a recording left for his niece, and Stephanie’s efforts to explore the mystery. BROADCAST TIMES:  ‘The Dead Key’ (Episode 1) will be broadcast on Newstalk 106-108fm on Sunday June 7th 2020 at 7am, with repeat broadcast on Saturday June 13th at 9pm. Podcast goes live after first broadcast. 'The Dead Key' Episode 2 premieres on Newstalk 106-108fm on Sunday June 14th 2020 at 7am, with repeat broadcast on Saturday June 20th at 9pm. Podcast goes live after first broadcast.  PODCAST SERIES: The Dead Key is broadcast as part of the Documentary and Drama On Newstalk Series, which showcases the best of original, homegrown and groundbreaking Irish Radio features. Podcast full Drama On Newstalk series here:  https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/page/1/filter?filter_selected=show-filter&show=documentary-drama-newstalk&series=all Documentary on Newstalk Listen and subscribe to Documentary on Newstalk on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.    Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'. CREDITS: ‘The Dead Key’ was written and directed by Jason Gill.  It was produced, recorded and edited by Alan Meaney. The cast are Martin Kelleher, Sarah Gordon, Anne Hoey, Pawel Starkowski, Irena Cvetkovic, Ollie Hegarty and Harry Smith. The programme was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television License Fee ABOUT THE PRODUCERS: Alan Meaney is an independent radio producer, based in Galway, specialising in dramas, documentaries and short features.  His work has been aired on RTE, Newstalk, Resonance FM and on various community and regional stations. His radio dramas have been nominated for 7 European Radio Drama Awards. Heads Up - a series on positive mental health was the winner of a CRAOL Award in 2016. A Pilot’s Honour, won bronze at the IMRO Radio Awards 2018 in the drama category. You can listen to his work at www.alanmeaney.ie Jason Gill has been involved in community theatre since the early 1990’s, and has acted in almost 30 plays. He has written and directed his own full length plays, ‘The House of Peter’ performed to much acclaim in 1994 and ‘The Brothers Malone’, which was performed by Athlone Little Theatre group at festivals throughout Ireland during 2006 and 2007. He has also directed Billy Roche’s ‘Poor Beast in the Rain’ and Willy Russell’s comedy ‘One For The Road’. He worked as a journalist and columnist for twenty years, and has written a number of novels and short stories. He currently hosts ‘For Art’s Sake’, the weekly arts review programme and ‘Athlone Today’ a current affairs programme on Athlone Community Radio. He wrote and directed the Sound and Vision funded eight part radio detective series, The Killing of Sheila Price and the Sound & Vision funded radio dramas Love Was, When Harry Met Satan The Prime of Johnny Broody and Fairies Only Wear Wings.  A Pilot’s Honour, written and directed by Jason, won bronze at the IMRO Radio Awards 2018 in the drama category. Sound And Vision Funding Scheme: Sound and Vision is a funding scheme for television and radio that provides funding in support of high quality programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience, and programmes to improve adult literacy. The scheme is managed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

New Spy Thriller airs on Newstalk The latest homegrown radio drama to be broadcast as part of the Drama On Newstalk series is The Dead Key, a contemporary spy thriller by Alan Meaney and Jason Gill.  This weekend, Drama on Newstalk are proud to broadcast the premiere of a new original Irish radio drama, The Dead Key. In The Dead Key, Producer Alan Meaney and director Jason Gill fashion a contemporary spy thriller and tale of family loyalty... Brendan Grattan was a young writer with the world at his feet, until a sex scandal caused him to spend the rest of his life in disgrace and silence. Back in Ireland for Brendan’s memorial, his niece Stephanie begins to doubt the official explanation of his disgrace. Was Brendan innocent after all? And if so, did his dishonour hide another, infinitely more terrible secret? Her probing introduces her to different associates from Brendan’s life; Marina, his mysterious former Russian lover and British spy David Prentice who demands to know if her uncle has passed on any ‘secrets’ after his death. The Dead Key unfolds over two episodes through Brendan’s posthumous narrative, spoken into a recording left for his niece, and Stephanie’s efforts to explore the mystery. BROADCAST TIMES:  ‘The Dead Key’ (Episode 1) will be broadcast on Newstalk 106-108fm on Sunday June 7th 2020 at 7am, with repeat broadcast on Saturday June 13th at 9pm. Podcast goes live after first broadcast. 'The Dead Key' Episode 2 premieres on Newstalk 106-108fm on Sunday June 14th 2020 at 7am, with repeat broadcast on Saturday June 20th at 9pm. Podcast goes live after first broadcast.  PODCAST SERIES: The Dead Key is broadcast as part of the Documentary and Drama On Newstalk Series, which showcases the best of original, homegrown and groundbreaking Irish Radio features. Podcast full Drama On Newstalk series here:  https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/page/1/filter?filter_selected=show-filter&show=documentary-drama-newstalk&series=all CREDITS: ‘The Dead Key’ was written and directed by Jason Gill.  It was produced, recorded and edited by Alan Meaney. The cast are Martin Kelleher, Sarah Gordon, Anne Hoey, Pawel Starkowski, Irena Cvetkovic, Ollie Hegarty and Harry Smith. The programme was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television License Fee ABOUT THE PRODUCERS: Alan Meaney is an independent radio producer, based in Galway, specialising in dramas, documentaries and short features.  His work has been aired on RTE, Newstalk, Resonance FM and on various community and regional stations. His radio dramas have been nominated for 7 European Radio Drama Awards. Heads Up - a series on positive mental health was the winner of a CRAOL Award in 2016. A Pilot’s Honour, won bronze at the IMRO Radio Awards 2018 in the drama category. You can listen to his work at www.alanmeaney.ie Jason Gill has been involved in community theatre since the early 1990’s, and has acted in almost 30 plays. He has written and directed his own full length plays, ‘The House of Peter’ performed to much acclaim in 1994 and ‘The Brothers Malone’, which was performed by Athlone Little Theatre group at festivals throughout Ireland during 2006 and 2007. He has also directed Billy Roche’s ‘Poor Beast in the Rain’ and Willy Russell’s comedy ‘One For The Road’. He worked as a journalist and columnist for twenty years, and has written a number of novels and short stories. He currently hosts ‘For Art’s Sake’, the weekly arts review programme and ‘Athlone Today’ a current affairs programme on Athlone Community Radio. He wrote and directed the Sound and Vision funded eight part radio detective series, The Killing of Sheila Price and the Sound & Vision funded radio dramas Love Was, When Harry Met Satan The Prime of Johnny Broody and Fairies Only Wear Wings.  A Pilot’s Honour, written and directed by Jason, won bronze at the IMRO Radio Awards 2018 in the drama category. Sound And Vision Funding Scheme: Sound and Vision is a funding scheme for television and radio that provides funding in support of high quality programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience, and programmes to improve adult literacy. The scheme is managed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.