Boyle writer bringing his play to Adelaide

A Boyle writer is all set to head Down Under to stage his new play as part of the Adelaide Fringe Festival.

Rory Nevin from Deerpark already has several awards and commendations for his work under his belt, but this time round he has decided to invest in himself and his writing by staging ‘A Wee Tap’ at the Irish Club in the Australian City.

The son of Sean and Margaret Nevin, Rory explained his writing background. “I worked in London for a while in IT but wrote part time for magazines and some newspapers. I returned to Ireland in 2002 with my partner, who is from Adelaide. Since returning I have concentrated on creative writing. I've had a few audio plays broadcast on local radio, staged two plays as part of previous Boyle Arts Festivals, while some of my short plays received rehearsed readings with theatrical companies. I've made and been involved with some short films. I also got commendations for short stories as part of Roscommon Writers Award. Writing is a passion for me,” he told the Roscommon Herald.

He will be joined at Australia's biggest arts festival and the world's second-largest annual arts festival by actor Maggie Kilcoyne from Tubbercurry and by director, Mary Blake from Leitrim village.

Mary Blake is a theatre maker, filmmaker, writer and director with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in performing arts and a Masters in Creative Practice from ATU Sligo. Additionally, she obtained a Certificate in Directing for Theatre from NUIM.

Maggie Kilcoyne has an extensive background in acting. She holds an MA in Acting from East 15 Drama school, London where she was awarded the John Hartley award for acting and recitation. She has worked extensively as an actor, voiceover artist, director and drama facilitator in the UK, Ireland and Italy. ‘Folaine’, a short documentary produced and directed by Maggie about Irish Holy Wells was awarded ‘Best New Director’ by Cine Paris film festival, 2023.

Rory explained that ‘A Wee Tap’ is a play developed, written and set in rural Ireland of the 1980/1990s in which Majella Sheerin, a woman in her forties tells the story of her life. It concerns domestic violence and murder and deals with guilt, shame, loss, revenge. It’s dark, funny, sad but above all entertaining and is sure to prompt questions “The project began as a short story and the character sprang from one line I couldn't get out of my head - “When I murdered him I used a hammer”. From there it developed into a monolog, a short piece and eventually into the current work. Kind words from readers at The Abbey and The Bush in London propelled me onwards. And with mentoring and actor support and some help from the Irish Arts Council it has been honed into a tight 60 minute piece.” ‘A Wee Tap’ will be staged the Irish Club, Carrington Street, Adelaide at 8p.m. on February 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 27th & March 2nd. For more information log onto https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/a-wee-tap-af2025 .