About the Play
The play is an imaginative
reconstruction of a private encounter between Michael Collins and Winston
Churchill, at the time of the treaty negotiations in London.
Description
ALLEGIANCE - A dramatised
account of a meeting between Michael Collins and Winston Churchill - This very
fine play by Mary Kenny is yet to be seen by the Irish masses even though it is
of major significance to anyone with even a vague interest in Irish history.
Irish politics up until recently was dominated by the pro/anti treaty question.
Collins a hero for many and a traitor for others finds him
self in the tightest of
squeezes, outgunned by the elder statesman. We all know that the outcome of
these negotiations led us into the saddest period in our islands long history.
Could the civil war have been avoided, was Collins sent on a kamikaze mission
by his friend and leader, Dev?
This project is a collaboration between father and son Rory Moran Sr. & Jr., writer Mary Kenny and director Jason Byrne. The play was performed in Nass for two nights, only two years ago and the actor who played Churchill was our very own Rory Sr. Afterwards Rory Sr. and Mary Kenny decided to bring the play to the people of Ireland. They knew that the subject matter was irresistible and that people all over the country would really want to see it if they had a opportunity. To take a play like this on the road requires tremendous work and we knew a lot would hang on the quality and authenticity of the performances. They then enlisted Rory’s own son, Rory Jr. who was eager and it turns out, perfect for the part. At this point we looked for the interest of director Jason Byrne, who has a reputation for working closely with actors to draw out their very best performances. He enthusiastically agreed and we began rehearsals in Dublin straight away.
We’ve had to calculate what is the least funding we can get away with, without compromising to production values. We have dates booked starting with Kerry in late August then onto Cork in September. We are in negotiations with theaters all over the country and are of course open to suggestions. After Cork we go to Galway (late Sept) then Waterford (early Oct), Kilkenny (late Oct), Carlow (early Nov), Dublin (late Nov), Belfast (early Dec) and Donegal (mid Dec).
Watch out for a more detailed timetable of our movements and bookings on this page. If there is a theater in your area where you believe the show would be appreciated, please contact us.
Background & Context
In 1921, the Irish rebel leader Michael Collins was ordered to travel to London – with Arthur Griffith and the Irish delegation – to negotiate the Anglo-Irish Treaty which followed the Truce and the War of Independence. Collins loathed the assignment and protested vehemently: but the Irish political leader Eamon de Valera insisted that he must go.
In London, Collins was regarded, at this time, in Winston Churchill’s own words, as “a legend among the gunmen and revolutionaries who held Ireland in thrall… [whose] prestige and influence amongst all extremists was high.” Churchill was Colonial Secretary in charge of Ireland, and the two men were prepared to detest one another. Churchill was deeply opposed to Irish “rebellion”: Collins certainly did not trust Winston, who had been part of a British government which had sent the notorious “Black and Tans” to Ireland.
Yet, at a point when the Treaty talks seemed to be in stasis, Churchill and Collins spent the whole night drinking together, talking, arguing, even singing and reciting poetry to one another. They emerged from this session, according to Lord Birkenhead “fascinated” by each another.
Moreover, after this, Churchill softened towards Ireland, and gave Collins and the nascent Irish Free State every support he could. For his part, Michael Collins, just before his untimely death, sent a valedictory message: “Tell Winston we could never have done it [establish the Free State] without him.”
The play is an imaginative reconstruction of how the encounter between the two might have progressed, drawing on historical sources. It is about Anglo-Relations relations at a crucial point in our history; it is about two very charismatic historical characters, republican and imperialist: and it is about something which must continue to be done in our world – when political negotiations arise from conflict.
Many Thanks for your support, we look forward to seeing you in the audience.
This project is a collaboration between father and son Rory Moran Sr. & Jr., writer Mary Kenny and director Jason Byrne. The play was performed in Nass for two nights, only two years ago and the actor who played Churchill was our very own Rory Sr. Afterwards Rory Sr. and Mary Kenny decided to bring the play to the people of Ireland. They knew that the subject matter was irresistible and that people all over the country would really want to see it if they had a opportunity. To take a play like this on the road requires tremendous work and we knew a lot would hang on the quality and authenticity of the performances. They then enlisted Rory’s own son, Rory Jr. who was eager and it turns out, perfect for the part. At this point we looked for the interest of director Jason Byrne, who has a reputation for working closely with actors to draw out their very best performances. He enthusiastically agreed and we began rehearsals in Dublin straight away.
We’ve had to calculate what is the least funding we can get away with, without compromising to production values. We have dates booked starting with Kerry in late August then onto Cork in September. We are in negotiations with theaters all over the country and are of course open to suggestions. After Cork we go to Galway (late Sept) then Waterford (early Oct), Kilkenny (late Oct), Carlow (early Nov), Dublin (late Nov), Belfast (early Dec) and Donegal (mid Dec).
Watch out for a more detailed timetable of our movements and bookings on this page. If there is a theater in your area where you believe the show would be appreciated, please contact us.
Background & Context
In 1921, the Irish rebel leader Michael Collins was ordered to travel to London – with Arthur Griffith and the Irish delegation – to negotiate the Anglo-Irish Treaty which followed the Truce and the War of Independence. Collins loathed the assignment and protested vehemently: but the Irish political leader Eamon de Valera insisted that he must go.
In London, Collins was regarded, at this time, in Winston Churchill’s own words, as “a legend among the gunmen and revolutionaries who held Ireland in thrall… [whose] prestige and influence amongst all extremists was high.” Churchill was Colonial Secretary in charge of Ireland, and the two men were prepared to detest one another. Churchill was deeply opposed to Irish “rebellion”: Collins certainly did not trust Winston, who had been part of a British government which had sent the notorious “Black and Tans” to Ireland.
Yet, at a point when the Treaty talks seemed to be in stasis, Churchill and Collins spent the whole night drinking together, talking, arguing, even singing and reciting poetry to one another. They emerged from this session, according to Lord Birkenhead “fascinated” by each another.
Moreover, after this, Churchill softened towards Ireland, and gave Collins and the nascent Irish Free State every support he could. For his part, Michael Collins, just before his untimely death, sent a valedictory message: “Tell Winston we could never have done it [establish the Free State] without him.”
The play is an imaginative reconstruction of how the encounter between the two might have progressed, drawing on historical sources. It is about Anglo-Relations relations at a crucial point in our history; it is about two very charismatic historical characters, republican and imperialist: and it is about something which must continue to be done in our world – when political negotiations arise from conflict.
Many Thanks for your support, we look forward to seeing you in the audience.
