‘City Till I Die’ takes brave look at current issues

Emotional, heart-warming and thought-provoking, ‘City Til I Die’ wowed its audience on Tuesday evening, a theatrical reminder of just what Derry City Football Club means to the people of the city.

Cast members received a standing ovation at the end of the show, which was held at Longtower Youth and Community Centre on Tuesday evening, an audience which included Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins, captain Patrick McEleney and vice-captain Cameron McJannet.

IN PICTURES: CHECK OUT OUR GALLERY FROM 'CITY TIL I DIE'

A Communities in Transition project funded by The Executive Office, ‘City Til I Die’ was far from just a love letter to its local football club, but rather a brave take on the intergenerational differences between supporters, shining a light on the conflicting views of supporters, including divisive subjects such as flares.

Aisling Hutton, one of the many stars of the show, is hoping that ‘City Til I Die’, can help address the issues that currently exist between supporters, with their love of their football club a common bond.

“I think, for the likes of Feile Derry, there's money getting pumped into this area through Communities in Transition and it's about doing stuff like this through the creative arts to try and show people that we can love peacefully and we can have thriving communities,” she said.

“But I think that was brilliant because the young, the old, females, males; it was right across the lifespan on there this evening.

Derry City's senior players Cameron McJannett and Patrick McEleney, who were in attendance at Tuesday's Premiere 'City Til I Die' took time out to pose with some of the children from Holy Child PS who took part in the play. (Photo: Jim McCafferty Photography)

“I think it just highlighted what everybody's thoughts on what being a fan is and then just how we can come together to create that sort of atmosphere where everybody's respected. But definitely, our local club is something that this city and the people of the Brandywell particularly are so, so proud of. So why not celebrate it through a play like this?”

Aisling played the mother of Oisin, played by Michael O’Doherty, a young gamer persuaded to go to the Brandywell for the first time by his grandad, lifelong Derry City supporter Tony Gillespie, played by Pat Lynch.

Through music, old footage and an abundance of memories for generations young and old, the play examined what it truly means to be a Derry City supporter and how being a supporter enhances the lives of so many, and how emotionally tied to the club we all are. For Aisling, it was a rewarding experience.

“I have to say I really enjoyed the practice and I never really thought too much about the on the night stuff until maybe the last week or so,” she reflected. “But definitely I really, really enjoyed the practice because I've learned so much about all the different fans now that exist within football and particularly our local team here in Derry City.

City fans go wild as they score against Dundalk. . . .City Til I Die at the Long Tower Youth Club on Tuesday night. (Photo: Jim McCafferty Photography)

“And it's just how attitudes have changed from the older fan to the younger fan. I think that play is letting us all know that we all should be together as fans and even though the older people might have opinions, just listen to them and hear what they have to say.

IN PICTURES: Premiere of Féile Derry stage production of 'City Til I Die'

For one night only, the premiere of "City Til I Die" took place in the Longtower Youth & Community Centre

"But the young fans are brilliant and they're there and they're supporting their local club and it's just sort of that intergenerational change.

"I thought it was amazing the night and the room was packed.”

Condensing almost 100 years of history into 90 minutes of memories, music, emotion and family was a difficult task, but one which was ultimately worth it, with everyone in attendance able to connect with the story unfolding on stage.

The Mayor Patricia Logue pictured with Shauna Kelpie, director, Gareth Stewart, Feile director and some of the cast members. (Photo: Jim McCafferty Photography)

“Myself personally, I lived in Southend Park until I was about seven and then I moved to Lecky Road,” Aisling recalled.

“So, I grew up with the matches and with all the buzz around the matches. When we were young, we were always allowed to sneak in at that interval to get a burger and back out again. There's so many memories."