A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

The Border Game

Full-Length Play, Dark Comedy  /  1w, 1m

Michael Patrick, Oisín Kearney

On a farm on the border, a fence is in need of repair, but rebuilding is more complicated than it seems. Inspired by real testimonies, this is a timely and powerful reflection on 100 years of the border in Ireland and how it has impacted those who live along it.

The Border Game

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 1m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Docudrama/History
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

On a farm on the border, a fence is in need of repair after being destroyed by vandals. When Sinead finds Henry hungover in her field, she ropes him in to help. But rebuilding a fence is more complicated than it seems. What begins as a simple task soon turns to talk of their past, a reliving of old memories, and a relentless competition to come out on top.

A timely and powerful reflection on 100 years of the border in Ireland and how it has impacted those who live along it. Inspired by 100 testimonies from real people who live on the border.

History

The Border Game premiered as a co-production between Prime Cut Productions and Lyric Theatre, Belfast on 2 October 2021. Directed by Emma Jordan, the production featured Liz Fitzgibbon and Patrick McBrearty. It was then remount for an Irish tour from August to October 2022. Directed again by Emma Jordan, this production featured Cat Barter and Patrick McBrearty.

Performing Groups

SINEAD – Also plays the following characters: OLD WOMAN, SINEAD’S DA, COMMENTATOR 1, TEEN SINEAD, SINEAD’S MA, IRA VOLUNTEER, YOUNG SINEAD and YOUNG DAMIAN

HENRY – Also plays the following characters: SOUTHERN CUSTOMS MAN, GOSSIP, DRUNK FOOL, BLOW-IN, BORING BROTHER, COW, DOG, COMMENTATOR 2, TEEN HENRY, NORTHERN CUSTOMS MAN, HOST (H) and CONTESTANT (H)

  • Time Period Contemporary, New Millennium/21st Century
  • Setting

    The border of Ireland. Various times over the past 100 years.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Additional Features No Intermission
  • Duration 90 minutes

Media

“Wit and wisdom on Ireland’s schism.” – The Guardian

“A sparky response to the centenary commemorations... a piece guaranteed to kick off thorny conversations.” – The Irish Time

“Wit and wisdom on Ireland’s schism. Commissioned by director Emma Jordan to mark the centenary of the partition of Ireland, the co-writers bring wit as well as acuity to complicated questions of identity.” – The Guardian

“Carried beautifully by the two actors… This touching play puts the issues through a moving interpersonal filter… a theatrical thinking-tool worth a mountain of opinion pieces.” – The Irish Independent

“Moving, honourable... A powerful new play… a sharp political satire about the legacy of partition.” – Susan McKay for The Guardian

“Told with typically sardonic Northern Irish humour, The Border Game is a vital commentary on a century of unnecessary division and hurt… a sharp, sensitive piece of writing.” – British Theatre Guide

Videos

  • The Border Game – Droichead Arts Centre Trailer youtube thumbnail

    The Border Game – Droichead Arts Centre Trailer

  • Interview – The Border Game playwright Oisín Kearney tells tales from the border! youtube thumbnail

    Interview – The Border Game playwright Oisín Kearney tells tales from the border!

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:
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Authors

Michael Patrick

Michael Patrick

Michael Patrick was born and raised in Belfast, where he still lives today. In primary 6, he wrote a story of the nativity from the donkey’s perspective and his teacher told his mother that he was going to be a writer. He then went off to study Physics at Cambridge University ...

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Oisín Kearney

Oisín Kearney

Oisín Kearney is from Warrenpoint, Co. Down. He studied Politics at the University of Cambridge. He now lives in Belfast, where he works as a writer and director for stage and screen.

Oisín localised Willy Russell’s script of Educating Rita to 1980s Belfast for the Lyric T ...

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