MAY THE ROAD RISE UP

Lyric Theatre, Australia and Brussels 2018-20

I SHALL WEAR PURPLE

Grand Opera House, Belfast

DREAM, SLEEP, CONNECT

Lyric Theatre and NI Tour

MACBETH

NI and Scottish Tour 2016-17

ARDNAGLASS ON THE AIR

Lyric Theatre 2017

c21 Awarded Lottery Funding for Care Homes Film Project 2020-21

In July 2020 the company was delighted to hear that it was awarded a grant from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s National Lottery Fund towards the costs of the organisation’s Through the Glass – The Reminiscence Project project.

c21 will use their Lottery Project Funding to create a Reminiscence Project to take into nursing and care homes in Northern Ireland. Five short theatrical films will be made on different themes, one per week over five weeks. The films will address the following themes: home, community, school days, work and going out. These will then be broadcast over Youtube to be watched in care homes. Other wraparound elements will include reminiscence boxes to complement the films, and reminiscence workshops.

Thank you to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the National Lottery.

Dream, Sleep, Connect – A new comedy by c21 Theatre Company

c21 Theatre Company are delighted to announce the cast and NI tour dates for our new comedy Dream, Sleep, Connect by award winning Belfast born playwright Rosemary Jenkinson.

The play will premiere at Lyric Theatre, Belfast from 18^th February – 22^nd February 2020 – for tickets click here

A bold new comedy about disconnection in the digital world, Dream, Sleep, Connect takes a timely ‘swipe’ at online dating and appoholics. Chris is working on a technological solution for the Irish border under the beady eye of his boss, Lucy, when he realises he has no one to invite to the office do. He joins Tinder only to find he’s met his match in more ways than one… But before long, Chris begins to ask the ultimate question: Who is watching who?

Well-known NI actors Richard Clements and Maria Connolly will play the roles of Chris and Lucy. Maria will also play Chris’s Tinder dates.

Regional tour dates are as follows:

Wed 26th Feb – Strule Arts Centre, Omagh – tickets

Fri 28th Feb – ISLAND Arts Centre, Lisburn – tickets

Sat 29th Feb – Cushendall Golf Club – pay at the door

Tues 3rd Mar – Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, Newry – box office 028 3031 3180

Fri 6th March – Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick – tickets

Sat 7th March – Market Place Theatre, Armagh – tickets

c21 tours Australia with successful Belfast play

c21 was presented with a wonderful opportunity in 2018 to tour their hit show ‘May the Road Rise Up’ to Melbourne, Australia in June 2019. The opportunity arose after the National Celtic Festival (Portarlington, Victoria) approached the company about the possibility of a joint production in Oz. With help from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (Travel Grants and International Programme for Organisations Contribution), Doyle Shipping Group and the National Celtic Festival, the company was able to take on a mini-tour of the Victoria region. Rosemary Jenkinson (Writer), Stephen Kelly (Director), Christine Clare (Actor) and Aaron Cathcart (Technical Manager) embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. Port Fairy (formerly Belfast) was the first stop where we played to a full house. We then took part in a pod cast recording in the local Blarney Books where our Author Rosemary Jenkinson read and discussed her new book, Catholic Boy.

The team then moved on to Portarlington, which was located one hour out of Melbourne. The National Celtic Festival was the destination and the reception was fantastic. We went on to perform in sold out shows while also taking part in numerous literary events, Q&A’s and seminars. The festival was a special place and the audience feedback was very positive:

So powerful, stunning, amazing…I’m exhausted, I don’t know about Christine, what a brilliant performance and congratulations to the team. So glad you brought the performance to Australia.

Thank you. –

Audience member c21 Facebook Page

Loved the performance. A real highlight of the festival and very topical to issues here.

Audience member c21 Facebook Page

Absolutely amazing. I was completely immersed from start to finish. Everything that went into that performance was perfect. My only wish is to now share this with so many of my friends that didn’t see it tonight. Hats off to all of you! Brilliant.

Audience member c21 Facebook Page

Thank you to all our sponsors and people who made this journey happen.

I Shall Wear Purple Completes a Brilliant NI Tour

I Shall Wear Purple came to an end in the Old Courthouse Theatre, Antrim on Friday 15th March 2019 with a sold out show. The production had travelled the length and breadth of Northern Ireland thanks to the Arts Council Of NI, Belfast City Council and our business sponsor Doyle Shipping Group. It was a fantastic show that sold out at numerous venues on tour. Here are some of the media comments that were mentioned along the way:

‘Director Stephen Kelly uses the operatic arias which punctuate each scene to chart its progression beautifully until its last, tender moment. As ever with Jenkinson, the script is sharp and sparky, the themes relevant. I Shall Wear Purple could have a future as a bigger production.’ Grania McFadden – The Deadhead

I Shall Wear Purple portrays growing old in an intelligent albeit droll way and brings together two actors in a way that reminds us that talent – theatrical or artistic – is not constrained by age. Alan in Belfast

McCusker excels when expressing the true emotions of frustration at being stuck in the care home and the freedom she finds through her art. Patrick McBrearty meanwhile, infuses Thomas with a warmth and a wit through a relaxed and charismatic performance and together the pair create a believable friendship. No More Workhorse

We are delighted to announce our brand new comedy ‘I Shall Wear Purple’ by Rosemary Jenkinson

Art is not what you see but what you make others see’ – Degas

Malinderry Care Home 2019 – Olivia suffers from ‘age rage’ and is fighting to leave; Thomas, who runs art therapy classes, is fighting to stay. When Thomas and Olivia meet, youth and experience collide in a scintillating, hilarious clash of culture.

Olivia learns how to paint the town red (or purple!) but for how long can they both challenge the authorities?

One thing you can be sure of in Rosemary Jenkinson’s brand new biting comedy – age is just a number, not an identity.

This will be c21’s fourth collaboration with Rosemary and we start of our Northern Ireland tour at Grand Opera House, Baby Grand followed by a regional tour throughout the country.

Starring Stella McCusker and Patrick McBrearty

Book Now

Allianz Arts and Business NI Awards

‘On Thursday 24th January 2019 at the Allianz Arts and Business NI Awards, c21 was delighted to pick up an award for ‘Staff Engagement’

The setting was the Lyric Theatre Belfast and Stephen Kelly and Sean McCready (Director of our Business Partner, Doyle Shipping Group) were in attendance to pick up the beautiful award.

The recognition was in relation to a two-year project where both companies worked together to raise awareness about disability. This included a drama production that toured to Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Thank you to everyone who helped us on this journey.

c21 Theatre Company Arts and Business Awards 2019

Previous Productions

It Only Takes a Minute

We are delighted to announce our brand new show for Autumn 2018!

It Only A Takes Minute is a superb one-women show performed by disabled actress Anna Kyle. The production focuses on the life of Michelle, a young female with Asperger’s syndrome.

The piece begins with 26 year-old Michelle receiving her diagnosis. She then, through a series of flashbacks, re-lives a number of scenes in her life.
The punchy, fast paced script is assisted by the music and Lyrics of Boy Band ‘Take That’ and takes you on a rollercoaster ride alongside Michelle as she grows up in the 1990’s. ‘Take That’ becomes Michelle’s confidants, mentors and best friends in the solace of her bedroom. The band, however, soon become an obsession, with the lyrics at times taken all too literally. This leads to a culmination of events that result in a meltdown and a period where Michelle is forced to learn more about herself and the world around her.

The piece is a mix of fun, excitement, uncertainty and sometimes an all too real overload of emotion, casting a light on the increasing number of females with undiagnosed Aspergers and their struggle living in a neurotypical society.

Venues below: To book tickets please click on the links.

Island Arts, Lisburn

Old Courthouse, Antrim

Sean Hollywood Arts Centre

Roe Valley

Alley Theatre Strabane

MAC Belfast

It only takes a minute c21 Theatre Company

May The Road Rise Up

May the Road Rise Up’ came to an end in Down Arts Centre on Friday 20th April 2018 in a sold out venue in Downpatrick. The production had travelled the length and breadth of Northern Ireland thanks to the Arts Council Of NI, Belfast City Council and our business sponsor Doyle Shipping Group. It was a fantastic show that sold out at numerous venues on tour. Here are some of the media comments that were mentioned along the way:

‘The success of any one-woman show will rest on the strength of the performer and Christine Clare deftly captures Mia’s journey from carefree party girl to faceless rough sleeper’
No More Workhorse

‘Stephen Kelly’s direction is well-paced and side steps any heavy handed posturing’
No More Workhorse

‘The carefully-judged plot balances the spiralling circumstances that pull Mia down with her attempt to keep a positive attitude and find solutions’
Alan in Belfast

Macbeth goes to Scotland!

We are delighted to be taking part in Scottish Book Week with our version of Macbeth. The Scottish Play was originally staged in 2016 and was part funded by Arts Council of NI. In November 2017 we will tour to six different venues over three days and play to some 4000 people. It’s a very exciting time for the company and we want to say thanks to everyone who made this happen. The Scottish tour runs from November 26th – 30th. See you on the road!

c21 Theatre Company presents

Romeo and Juliet

Set in mid-summer Italy when passions are strong, Romeo and Juliet follows the tragic romance of two headstrong young lovers whose families disapprove of their relationship. They secretly marry but a fatal fight seals Romeo’s banishment and ultimately leads to his own and Juliet’s death. This contemporary production by c21 Theatre Company once again through edited text and energetic acting, promises to bring Shakespeare to life for audiences of all ages.

Another successful tour for Ardnaglass On The Air

‘Ardnaglass On The Air’ came to rest on Sunday night the 5^th March 2017 in a sold out venue in Moneyglass. The production had travelled the length and breadth of Northern Ireland thanks to the Arts Council Of NI and our business sponsor Doyle Shipping Group. It was a fantastic show that sold out at numerous venues on tour. Here are some of the media comments that were mentioned along the way:

“Hand on Sister David’s heart, what you can expect is a full hour and 20 minutes of sheer unadulterated, ignore the pun, fun”

Culture Hub NI

“This is theatre at its purest and best – two actors alone on stage with nothing but a cracking script and wonderful rapport” Irish News

“Full of energy and fun with a twist of lemon on your parade as she raises an eyebrow, or scowls at the mishaps that only top quality, professional, community broadcasting can bring. I implore you to go see this fab bit of fun theatre. Standing ovation well deserved” – Culture Hub NI

“Ardnaglass on the Air is a hoot. It’s outrageously funny, full of vernacular and very entertaining” – Alan in Belfast

The play is sensationally entertaining with rich characters in which most of us will find a sense of familiarity. BAMNI.com

c21 Theatre Company presents

Aladdin

We are back with our brand new production of Aladdin written and directed by Pam Cassells-Totten (Lucy and the Dream Catcher and Jack and the Beanstalk) and produced by Stephen Kelly

Rub the Magic Lamp, enter the cave of wonders and be transported on a flying carpet ride into the Mystical World of The Far East. Will true love come smoothly for Aladdin and The Beautiful Princess in this rag to riches story or will the evil Abanazar capture the Genie of the Lamp and spoil Aladdin’s dreams?

The show opens on Friday 9th December and you can get your tickets by calling 02825635077 or by clicking the link! See you there.

c21 Theatre Company presents

Macbeth

Once again c21 Theatre Company bring Shakespeare to life on stage. Edited and directed specifically for schools by Arthur Webb, this fast-moving production follows the eventful life of the evil Scottish warrior and his power-hungry wife. Prophecy, witchcraft, murder and revenge all play a part in their tragic demise and guarantee a captivating production for audiences of all ages’

c21 Theatre Company presents

Be Gleeful 6!

c21 Theatre Company makes a return to Ballymena this Summer with their successful drama Summer camps for children aged 7-13. This will be the company’s sixth year at The Braid Arts Centre and it promises to be the best yet.

Learn More

c21 Theatre Company presents

LOVE OR MONEY

a comedy about banks, bras and going bust by Rosemary Jenkinson.

Lyric Theatre Belfast: 23^rd – 27^th February 2016
On Tour: 29^th February – 12^th March 2016

Eilish is back in the dating game and back in the courts rebuilding her law career. She has a demanding boss, a demanding life, and now a new boyfriend. As her work and her relationship develop, Eilish finds herself embroiled in a world of hidden identity, missing documents and bras… lots of bras…

c21 Theatre Company presents a biting new comedy about the underside of the recession. Finance and fidelity entangle in a tug-of-love to keep business afloat. Zero hours or the hour of reckoning?

Another satirical gem from Jenkinson and c21 who brought you last year’s sell-out hit “Stitched Up”.

WE WON!

On Wednesday 21st January 2015 c21 members and partners attended the Allianz Arts and Business NI Awards at Theatre At The Mill.

After being nominated in three different categories, we lifted the award for Corporate Responsibility!! The award was given for our work on ‘Choices’ an underage binge-drinking project, that saw us reach some 2000 young people aged 14-16 throughout Northern Ireland.

Stephen and Sean McCready, the director of Burke Shipping Group (our business partner) were there to pick up the award from BBC’s Wendy Austin. A great achievement for the company and celebrations carried on into the night!