It’s no secret that here at Culch.ie, we’ve been huge fans of the irritatingly talented Devious Theatre troup for a number of years. Not only are they brave enough to stage the likes of Cannibal: The Musical, Trainspotting, War of the Worlds (as well as a considerable amount of original material), they manage to do it well. More than well - these guys are brilliant. Every actor and actress in the group are skilled, diverse and rivetting to watch. The direction is always inspired and they have mastered the very difficult skill of making sure a shoestring budget does not stop them from creating an incredible show.
Their next big project is something I’m particularly excited about. They are performing a brand new stage version of George A. Romero’s classic horror, Night of the Living Dead, from 24th – 28th July at the Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny. It will be the first time any version of the work has been performed in Ireland.
The original 1968 movie is one of the greatest horror movies of all time and regarded as the template for political commentary in horror cinema. It also gave birth to what has become known as the ‘zombie’ genre of movies. This production is written by Devious Theatre’s own John Morton and Connie Walsh and uses the original script by George A. Romero and John A. Russo as a jumping off point.
It has been transposed from a farmhouse in rural Philadelphia in 1968 to a ghost estate in the south east of Ireland in 2012. It tells the story of a group of disparate strangers, trapped in an abandoned house after an unknown incident causes the dead to come back and attack the living. The country is dying and dying fast. Able-bodied young people are emigrating in droves. Their elders are barely surviving, just waiting and watching as things go from bad to worse. Families are falling apart. No homes, no money, no prospects: ripped apart as units and if they’re really unlucky, limb from limb. The undead are the only ones rallying together in this country. And soon there’s going to be more of them than there is us.
This new theatrical version uses the story to examine present day issues in a fear-gripped modern day Ireland. Like the original movie, it is a darkly comic satire that depicts the capacity for horrific acts in normal people during times of crisis.
Okay, okay, but what can I do to help?
I’m glad you asked. They need money. They need your money. And they’ll give you plenty in return. They’re trying to raise €5,000 to help stage the show in Kilkenny this July. The funds raised will go directly into the production - from set design to costumes and beyond - every penny raised will be visible on the stage to make this the biggest and best production they’ve staged in their six years to date.
You can pledge online, anywhere from €5 to €1,000 and pick up some great rewards including advance tickets, poster sets, programmes, soundtracks or - if you’re brave enough - you can fund your way into the show and join them for a half day rehearsal and makeup and appear on stage with the cast on one of the public performance nights. How frickin’ aweosme is that??
You are responsible. Help these Devious Creatures make Night of the Living Dead the highlight of Irish Theatre in 2012. Fund-It now.
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