Back to work for ‘Dockers’

Following the phenomenal success of its première run in the summer, ‘Dockers’ will transfer to the larger Fr Matthew Hall on Father Matthew St.

The play, written by Marion Wyatt, will open on Wednesday 2 October and run for 10 performances, excluding Sunday 6 October. Based on the research of Pat 'Fáda Beag' O’Brien O’Leary, ‘Dockers’ is dramatized from conversations held with associates, friends and families of former Cork dockers who shared their lived experiences.

‘Dockers’ takes place in and around the Docklands and northside suburbs of Cork. The play begins in February 2009, the time of the final rationalisation in the Port of Cork. The script includes verbatim contributions from a host of real-life dockland characters such as Jim 'Doc' Doherty, Stephen 'Wazzi' Hogan, Pat 'Fáda Beag' O’Brien O’Leary, Jim 'Josser' Tobin, Frank 'Snooky' Brady, Breda Dineen Scanlon, Suzanne Dineen, Christine Coleman, and others who have chosen to remain anonymous.

As the memories of those who worked on the docks unfold, the story travels back and forth in time. ‘Dockers’ could be set in any harbour city in the world. It is a timeless, universal story of the harsh conditions, plight and fight of the working man and the formidable women and families who support them. The play aims to ensure the people do not become forgotten voices.

‘Dockers’ is brought to life by some of Cork’s finest acting talent including Michael Murphy, Dominic Moore, Eoin Hally, Kevin Corcoran, Pearse O’Donoghue, Brian O’Riordan, Shane Doonan, Marie O’Donovan and Úna Ryan. The cast of thirty ranges from fifteen to eighty years of age. ‘Dockers’ is a play with music, and includes original songs by Joey Neville and Billy Bullman. Score and musical direction is by Jimmy Brockie.

Recommended for audiences aged 12+, tickets are €23 and available from eventbrite.com. For further information, call 087-3193166.