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Ability shines through in new play Our Journey

by Sinead Hogan  Updated: Wednesday, 4th August, 2010 5:00pm

Will Govan and Mary Keaney.

The play opens with a series of fast-paced and thought-provoking scenes which quickly move from one scenario to another.

There's an expectant couple deliberating over pink versus blue... but what if the new arrival comes into this world with special needs?

Next a hospital patient is on the receiving end of words you really don't want to hear about "the good news and the bad news".

In another scene the repetitive taunts of children permeate the consciousness.

Our Journey is a play about dreams, frustrations, achievements, loss, disappointment and hope. Mostly it is about the human condition, and how we suffer and rejoice irrespective of our ability or disability. The story was crafted through the retelling of stories and real life scenarios, both painful and funny, that were experienced by the cast.

Fine line

They're scenarios we don't invite into our lives, but isn't life what happens to you while you're busy making other plans?

It's in our nature to think illness, accident or disability won't happen to us, until it does. The line that divides our various levels of ability and disability is precariously fine.

In Our Journey a group of people, including Irish Wheelchair Association service users, their drama facilitator, other actors and a musician, present the facts without looking for either sympathy or admiration. There is no preaching, nor an explicit message, except perhaps, "here we are".

A recurring theme in the play is how we just don't listen. Call it fear, misunderstanding or ignorance, but this important play hammers home the fact we can treat people differently because they use a wheelchair or have more difficulty speaking than some. We make presumptions and deny people their voices.

Our Journey was co-written by the service users at the Irish Wheelchair Association in Cavan and drama therapist Maura Williamson, and will be performed again in Cavan as part of Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann on the evening of Monday, August 16.

Cast and crew

The play's director, Maura Williamson, is a drama facilitator who has worked with the service users at the Irish Wheelchair Association in Cavan for a number of years. Bridget Boyle also worked to assist with the logistics of ensuring that all who wished to be part of this play had a voice. Anthony Cunningham assisted the director. The play is enhanced with original songs by Anthony Cunningham and Tony Fahy performed by the cast. The cast includes Will Govan, Mary Keaney, Keelan Braiden, Melissa Clarke, Anthony Cunningham, Shane Loughlin, Kevin Bravender, Margaret Rodgers and Martha Smith. In the chorus are Denis Irvine, Martina Cassels, Angela Donnellan, Christine Donoghue, Garrett Smith and Mary Nicoll.

Excellent

Excellently scripted and performed, the play is an eye-opener and has all the hallmarks of being a labour of love for those involved.

As the director says: "This play holds a part of real people who have an abundance of talent and a story to tell".

• Our Journey will be performed on Monday, August 16, at 7.30pm at the Irish Wheelchair Association Resource Centre, Unit 1, Block D, Corlurgan Business Park, Ballinagh Road, Cavan. Space is limited for this performance so booking advisable; email bridget.boyle@iwa.ie.

The project was funded by Department of Community Equality and Gaelteacht Affairs, Cavan County Council and Breffni Intergrated.