Walking the Road by Dermot Bolger Commissioned by South Dublin County Council In Context 3

Axis, Ballymun

In association with In Flanders Fields Museum presents

Walking the Road

by Dermot Bolger

Commissioned by South Dublin County Council In Context 3

"This is a song a robin sang

This morning on a broken tree

It was about the little fields

That call across the world to me."

Home by Francis Ledwidge 1917

Lance Corporal Francis Ledwidge lost his life in Flanders fields in 1917, while serving with the British army in WWI. One of Irelands emerging poets, Ledwidge left the familiarity of his Co. Meath home, and joined the British army at seven shillings a week, a shilling more than London magazines paid for a line of poetry.

Suspended in the half-light of memories and dreams, this beautiful new play from Dermot Bolger follows Francis Ledwidge on his final journey, as he finds himself once again walking the road to his home in Slane, alongside the ghosts of all of those who touched his life. But where are they walking to and will any of them ever reach home?

Commissioned as part of the South Dublin County Council In Context 3 Public Art programme, "Walking The Road" marks 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 showed in axis before touring to Ypres Town Theatre, Belgium. It comes to Tallaghts Civic Theatre as part of Fused* the South Dublin County Arts Festival on 12^th 14^th July .

Dermot Bolger is one of Irelands 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 Irish Times Theatre Awards) and The Townlands of Brazil.

When Archduke Franz Ferdinand was gunned down in Sarajevo in June 1914 it started a chain of events that would directly affect Irish people all over the world. Against the backdrop of political divisions at home, thousands of Irish men and women headed for Europe to play their part in The Great War. While no agreement has ever been reached on the exact number of Irish soldiers who served in the British Armed Forces, estimates suggest that over 200,000 took part with over 35,000 perishing during the course of the War.

The story of Francis Ledwidge starts here, walking the road.

Cast and Crew

Francis: Colin ODonoghue

Companion: Kelly Hickey

Director: Ray Yeates

Designer: Marie Tierney

Lighting: Conleth White

Listing Information:

Venue: Civic Theatre Tallaght, Dublin

Dates: 12^th 14^th July ~ 8PM

Tickets: 12 & 10 (concession)

Booking: 01 462 7477

Web: www.civictheatre.ie

This production also will tour: The Dock, Leitrim and

Solstice Arts Centre, Navan.

Other useful links

www.francisledwidge.com