New play to be performed in Donegal next month will deal with the impact of suicide on those left behind

A new play which explores the impact of suicide on families will be performed in Donegal next month.

After its first performance at the Playhouse in Derry on February 9, Sole Purpose Productions is taking ‘Blinkered’, which has been written by Patricia Byrne and directed by Shauna Kelpie, on tour thanks to funding from the Arts Council of Ireland's North South Touring Fund and the ESB Energy for Generations Fund.

‘Blinkered’, which made a huge impact when it toured to schools in the North West and The Playhouse last year, will be staged in Derry again before visits to theatres in Donegal, Belfast, Strabane, Dublin, Sligo and Drogheda.

Artistic Director Patricia Byrne said they consulted widely with mental health and suicide prevention professionals about the play.

“'Blinkered is a play which explores the issue of mental health, suicide, and its impact on the family. Sole Purpose wanted to raise awareness of this challenging subject and we worked closely with key people including Siobhan O’Neill, Professor of Mental Health Services at Ulster University School of Psychology; Conor McCafferty, Manager at Zest NI; Bridie Sheridan, Manager at Youthlife; and AWARE NI.

“The play follows the story of Ryan who has his music, friends, and a family that care about him but there is a “darkness and a heaviness” that will not go away.”

Recalling the impact on audiences when the drama was first staged in Derry last year, Patricia said: “It was a highly emotive and hard hitting production but one which dealt with a subject which we in this city are only too familiar with. Derry~Londonderry consistently has one of the highest rates of suicide in Northern Ireland, where approximately 300 people die by suicide every year. Of the 268 people in Northern Ireland who died by suicide in 2014, over three-quarters were men. It is a sobering fact that hardly a week goes by without someone taking, or attempting to end, their life.”

Each performance will be followed by an interactive workshop offering the audience an opportunity to explore issues raised in the play.

Encouraging people to go and see ‘Blinkered’, Lizzie Devlin, Arts Development Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: “The production mirrors the Arts Council’s Youth Arts Strategy which advocates using arts based projects and creative interventions to promote positive mental health and well-being among young people.

“The Arts Council of Northern Ireland are delighted to support ‘Blinkered’ through our North/South Touring Scheme alongside our partners An Chomhairle Ealaion and congratulate everyone involved in bringing this important production to new audiences across the region.”

‘Blinkered’ opens at The Playhouse, Derry (February 9); the Balor Theatre, Ballybofey (February 15 & 16); The Lyric Theatre, Belfast (February 21-24); the Alley Theatre, Strabane (March 1 & 2); An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny (March 8 & 9); Axis Theatre, Ballymun (March 20 & 21); Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo (March 23); and Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda (March 29 & 30).

Samaritans will be in attendance at each performance with information about their services.

The numbers to call if needed are 116 123 (UK) 116 123 (ROI) or email [email protected]

For more information about ‘Blinkered’ including a YouTube video extract and web links to book tickets for any of the theatre venues, visit www.solepurpose.org