"Hurling play hits the stage this autumn"
12 September 2008A unique Irish play with the game of Hurling as its central theme re- opens this October.
Bondi Beach Boy Blue opens at Smock Alley Theatre, Temple Bar, Dublin on October 8th and runs until October 11th. It will transfer to Langton House Hotel, Kilkenny for a one-off performance to coincide with the celebrations for Kilkenny’s 31st All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship title before touring to Galway and Mayo.
Written by emerging playwright Benny McDonnell (Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo), the OCI Production premiered at Cleere’s Theatre, Kilkenny in September 2007 and completed a 6 night run before touring to Cork, Kilmallock, Ennis, Thurles, Ballinrobe and Galway to favourable reviews.
Bondi is Declan’s story - a talented young hurler growing up in rural Kilkenny, poised to become another hurling great until his potential is cut short. Forced to forsake the game he loves, Declan bolts to Australia accompanied by his best friend Gary. He leaves his girlfriend Lisa and an indifferent relationship with his father behind, to embark on the life- altering trip ’down under.’
The play is the story of the set of problems he ran away from in Ireland and what he ran into in Australia. It is the story of a small town hero being forced from his comfort zone and having to find a place on a larger stage.
Bondi has already received lavish praise from Kilkenny hurling legends Brian Cody (6 time All- Ireland Hurling winning manager, All- Ireland Minor & Senior winning Captain) and Eddie Keher (6 time All- Ireland Hurling Championship winner - Captain in 1969) as well as from GAA President Nicky Brennan who described the play as "depicting the profound importance and influence that Gaelic games can have on the lives of young people."
Bondi is directed by Donal Courtney of the Gaiety School of Acting and the cast comprises Tom Casey (How Low Can You Go Reality Check 08), Sonia Gamble (Arabian Night, Company X, Dublin Fringe Festival), Michael Wallace & Daryll White (both currently appearing at The Abbey in An Ideal Husband).
Bondi’s title was riffed from Dublin- based, Independent Music Awards Songwriters of the year 2007, The Guggenheim Grotto’s Portmarnock Beach Boy Blue. The Guggenheim Grotto who released their second album - Happy the Man, on September 5th, 2008 and have had their music featured in several high- profile TV shows in the US including One Tree Hill, Brothers & Sisters, Men in Trees & Six Degrees have contributed a specially recorded version of the song for the show.
Bondi previews at Smock Alley theatre in Temple Bar, Dublin on October 6th & 7th before running there until October 11th and then touring to selected venues around the country - please see attached Tour Schedule.
Tickets are available from 0818 205 205, www.ctb.ie and Central Ticket Bureau, Liberty Hall, 33 Eden Quay, Dublin 1
For further details please contact any of the numbers or e-mail below. The Director, Producers (& Writer) are available for interview.
Additional mail attachments:
Cleere’s Theatre Kilkenny, September 2007: Playwright Benny McDonnell pictured with Kilkenny legends Eddie Keher (6 time All- Ireland Hurling Championship winner, including 1969 as Captain) & Brian Cody (10 time All- Ireland Hurling Championship winner, 6 as Manager; 4 as player - including 1982 as Captain).
Bondi’s Poster image - two hurlers contesting a ball set against the Sydney Harbour Bridge & Opera House.
Contacts:
ociproductions@gmail.com
www.ociproductions.com
Donal Courtney - Director - 086 9597 673
Declan Furlong - Producer - 087 9378 100
Benny McDonnell - Writer/Producer - 087 9593 331
2008 Tour Schedule
Oct 6 -7th Smock Alley Theatre, Temple Bar, Dublin (Previews)
Oct 8 -11th Smock Alley Theatre, Temple Bar, Dublin
Oct 18th Langton House Hotel, Kilkenny
Oct 22 - 23rd Cuba, Galway
Oct 24th Ballinrobe, Community School
2007 Production Feedback
"One hurl of a play" - The Irish Sun
"a must- see" - Kilkenny Advertiser
"a splendid new play" - The Mayo News
"you have got to see Bondi Beach Boy Blue" - Tipperary Voice
"hugely enjoyable, thought- provoking, interesting, realistic, touching and very, very real" - Brian Cody, Kilkenny Senior Hurling Team Manager.
"Brilliant, absolutely brilliant" - Eddie Keher, Kilkenny’s 1969 All- Ireland winning Captain