Hitting the Stage – Drama in Galway to help the Samaritans
My first stageplay, “Lapot” hit the virtual stage with an online reading of an extract of it by “Evas Echo” Theatre here in Galway in aid of Samaritans
The work that Samaritans do is well known, and is doubly critical in these times when standard HSE services are pared back due to COVID, which itself is causing additional stresses.
Eva’s Echo do a Writers Night each year, reading extracts of work of those who submit on invitation, and this year a challenge by Longford Writers to write a one act drama led to me writing “Lapot”, which I submitted.
You can donate to Samaritans at the address HERE>>>:
The Cause
The fundraising for Samaritans smashed its target, to the delight of the organizers, a cause well worth supporting.
While of a lower profile than before, the issue of suicide is current. From Corrib Watch to some local families, the stories of those saved are heartening.
Mental Health is a current issue, and prevention is better than cure, and Samaritans hold a key part of that supportive service.
I always love to help with mental health charities, having supported events before for JIGSAW and Pieta House.
The Other Acts
You can sit down and enjoy the other acts – I wont spoil the plots – with another two fellow writers from Longford Writers Club having pieces featured – with Maggi doing her own piece!
The Play
It has been an ambition of mine to get something on the stage for a number of years, and I have been wanting to write of the life of the Longford gangster and moll Chicago May, but to get one scene to base on proved a challenge.
I may do that yet.
So, the story of Lapot – said to be practiced years ago by Slav Serbs in Serbia, and some say still today by Serb Roma of Kosovo caught my imagination.
The Reading
Seeing and hearing the reading of the play online was a surreal experience. I was in work,, and all was quiet before it started, and then everyone came needing this and that done in the middle of it!!!
I loved looking back on the replay.