By David Joyce
“When you look at me, what do you see? Do you see the real me, or do you see my disability?”
David Joyce from County Galway is a vital and striking new voice in the Irish theatre. An MA graduate of Drama and Theatre Studies at the University of Galway, he has written a captivating and humorous play, inspired by his own lived experience as a young Irish adult with a disability.
Lee Hanley (mid-20s) is a regular guy with a disability living in a fictional West of Ireland town. Just out of college, he is job-hunting; hopes to write poetry; enjoy a social life: ordinary, everyday things; tangible dreams. But in Lee’s world, nothing is ever simple. He feels trapped within the town and within himself; and struggles with mental health and the external barriers that are constantly put in his way. Without any say, he is suddenly assigned a Personal Assistant who seems unsuited…
An unflinching, universal, truthful tale of friendship, “A Personal Prism” will have its world premiere at the Black Box Theatre on 26 November 2024, and then transfer to Portumna and Tuam.
Awards
David is a previous winner of the Arts and Disability Ireland Mentoring Award.
“A Personal Prism” won a Town Hall Patrons’ Award in 2021, leading to a successful reading and workshop in 2022.
This vivid, full professional production is now made possible by an Arts Council Theatre Project Award 2023.
Cast and Director
The ensemble includes Galway actors Johanne Webb in the role of Megan (Lee’s sister); Gerard Howard who plays Michael, an unemployed older man in the town; and Eimear Finan who plays amateur drama diva Ronni, the comical but committed manager of a local disability services organisation.
Lee Hanley is played by Matthew Nolan, an Irish actor with a disability, living in London, whose recent work includes “Doctors” (BBC) and “1797” (History/Riot and Tramshed).
The play is directed by highly-regarded writer-director Declan Gorman whose previous Town Hall presentations include “The Big Fellow”; “The Green Fool” and “The Dubliners Dilemma”.
Access and Equality: This production of “A Personal Prism” is accessible to persons with or without a disability. There will be a captioned performance at the Wed 27 November performance; audio description is available; additional seating spaces for wheelchair users and their companions.
Content and Age Guide: Suitable for 12’s +. References to mental health concerns and self harm. The play touches upon mental health matters, with references to self-harm - but no distressing action is shown. Our team has a community and disability liaison officer who is on standby in the unlikely event of any distress.
In association with Town Hall Theatre
Duration: 120 mins incl interval
Age: 13+