Mmanwu is a radio drama that delves into the complexities of maternal struggle, mental health, and the clash between tradition and modernity. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Onitsha, Nigeria, the story follows Ada, a young widow grappling with the overwhelming grief of losing her husband, Bayo.Seeking refuge from the weight of her grief and the overwhelming responsibilities of motherhood, Ada returns to her father, Eze, in Onitsha. A man deeply rooted in Nigerian traditions, Eze offers both solace and conflict, pushing Ada towards conventional methods of coping with loss and raising her young son Zane. This clash between generations and ideologies forms the core of the drama, highlighting the struggle between individual healing and cultural expectations.Through poignant dialogue, music and evocative sound design, Mmanwu explores the depths of Ada's grief and her attempts to hold onto the remnants of her past. Her interactions with her father are rife with cultural references and deeply resonate with themes of identity, loss, and the struggle for personal autonomy within the confines of tradition. The audience will be taken on an intimate journey through Ada’s struggles in a thought provoking and entertaining drama.Mmanwu was written and directed by Dagogo Hart. Produced, recorded and edited by Alan Meaney. Music and additional sounds by Adam Garrett. The cast were Esther James, Sodiq Ajibola, Yomi Ogunyemi and Timothy Orimolusi.The programme was funded by Coimisiún na Meán, with the Television Licence Fee.Mmanwu is adapted from a stage play to an audio drama by its writer and director Dagogo Hart. Development of the script started as part of the Rachel Baptiste programme in Smock Alley theatre in 2022, and also as part of a residency in the Fringe Lab in 2022. In 2023 it was programmed in the Fringe Festival and the production was co-funded by Fishamble new play company and Fringe Labs as part of the Big Ambitions project. It was staged in The New Theatre in September 2023.
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Passengers
Sight Nor Sound Theatre and producer Alan Meaney bring you a comedy of pretence and playfulness in ‘Passengers’.Two people at very different moments in their lives end up beside each other in the VIP waiting lounge at the airport. They make small talk, share a beer, and unwilling to reveal their true selves, a game of mutual deception ensues.Stephen is a young man running away from his life to backpack in an exotic location. Helen is a former film star, hounded by paparazzi and attempting to seem ‘normal’ for a little while. They both, over the course of many beers in the lounge, divulge their untruths and enjoy each other's company. Stephen claims to be a rock star in a famous band with messy interpersonal relationships. Helen is claiming to be someone she is not too – a regular person who just resembles the film star she truly is.Cue some very real moments of self-discovery before fate and chance combine with two vastly contrasting outcomes'Passengers’ was was written by Alan McMonagle, directed by Sight Nor Sound Theatre, and produced, recorded and edited by Alan Meaney. The cast were Rose Henderson and John Ruddy. The programme was funded by Coimisiún na Meán, with the Television Licence Fee.
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The Cost of Living
Drama on Newstalk presents THE COST OF LIVING, an original radio comedy-drama by Anna Merritt and Deborah Wiseman. The story is a heartfelt and humorous exploration of marital breakdown in a challenging financial landscape in the Ireland of today.Jen and Tony Tully’s twenty-six-year marriage is dead. The separation agreement is signed, only there is no new freedom for them to celebrate or no excitement at the prospect of new beginnings. Victims of the dire cost of living crisis, they have no choice but to continue to live under the same roof. Their cohabitation is rife with tension and a list of rules to manage household conflict isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. With no love, no money, and no space how can they possibly move on?THE COST OF LIVING was funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television Licence Fee. It was produced, written and directed by Anna Merritt & Deborah Wiseman. Sound production by Amy O’Dwyer. Jen is played by Mary Murray, Tony is played by Jed Murray, Otis is played by Cal O’Driscoll, Carol/Hilary played by Deborah Wiseman, Angie/Sue played by Deirdre Monaghan and Alan is played by Ciaran O’Grady.
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Speak Through Your Silence
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.
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Third Time Lucky
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.
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