McCann play to get Stephen’s Day airing

A radio play written by award-winning Belturbet playwright Brendan McCann, and produced by his son Kevin, is to be premiered on Shannonside this coming Christmas period.

‘Who’s there?’ will be broadcast on St. Stephen’s Day at 2pm.

The play features Cavan actor Aaron Monaghan (Assassin’s Creed; ‘71; The Foreigner) and Donal O’Kelly (The Van; I Went Down) from Dublin, who now lives in Leitrim.

The quirky radio drama is about a man who hears a voice when he’s making a cup of tea. Not only does the man hear a voice, but he has a full-blown conversation and argument with it.

Rehearsals for the play took place online between the three men, with McCann (Testing Time, Teddy Boy; Prison Door; The Boys of St Columbs) now currently living in Co Clare.

Music for the play is composed by Peadar O’Riada, son of Seán O’Riada, founder of the modern school of Irish folk music playing.

This is not the first time Mr McCann and his son have worked together on a creative endeavour.

The father-and-son pairing collaborated when Kevin produced ‘Volkswagen Joe’ (2013), an award-winning play written by McCann Snr.

Starring Stuart Graham (Hunger, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) in the central role, the short film won over a dozen international awards including for ‘Best Short Drama’ at the prestigious Celtic Media Festival.

McCann Snr’s award-winning plays have featured on the All-Ireland Drama Circuit since 1978, when his first play ‘Perri Como’s Leaving Town’ won the All-Ireland Rural Drama award.

His play ‘The Matter with Lazarus’ was short-listed for the Full-Length Play Award at Listowel Writers Week.