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Out in the Country
‘Out in the Country’ by Breige Devlin - The Confessions of an Irish Lesbian…Hold onto your flannel shirts and get ready for a belly-laughing, side- splitting one woman comedy, thatches you on a wild ride of one woman’s journey to come out as a lesbian in her rural village, late 80’s into the early 90’s. Through a hilarious whirlwind of characters, Breige navigates a world where the word “Lesbian” sounds foreign as quinoa. With wit shaper than a mullet haircut. Breige’s journey of self-love, validation and self-acceptance, will leave you laughing and rooting for her all the way. Whether you re gay, straight, or just a fan of comfortable shoes. This story of self-discovery in a world of small minds, and even smaller towns, will have you crying tears of joy, and probably a little gay pride too.
THE EAST LAFFS!
Belfast’s Funniest Night Out
Step into the quirky cabaret-style setting of The Sanctuary (Studio) Theatre in East Belfast and experience the electric atmosphere of the city’s most legendary comedy club night. This laugh-packed series brings together some of the finest comedic talent from across Northern Ireland and beyond. From rising stars to seasoned pros, each show features a fresh lineup of stand-up acts guaranteed to leave you in stitches.
🗓️ Thursday, 26 June 2025
🎤 Line up TBC
Rehearsed Reading - The Laramie Project
Bright Umbrella Community Rehearsed Reading Circle, is proud to present 'The Laramie Project', by Moisés Kaufman is about the reaction to the 1998 murder of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. The murder was denounced as a hate crime and brought attention to the lack of hate crime laws in various states, including Wyoming.
An example of verbatim theatre, the play draws on hundreds of interviews with inhabitants of the town, journal entries, and published news reports. It is divided into three acts, and eight actors portray more than sixty characters in a series of short scenes.
The Laramie Project is often used as a method to teach about prejudice and tolerance in personal, social, and health education and citizenship in schools, and it has also been used as a text for English literature.
The play has also inspired grassroots efforts to combat homophobia.
Flags & Emblems
Wednesday 2nd July 2025 - Saturday 5th July 2025
Having moved “behind enemy lines” into a loyalist housing estate, art student Liam is having the time of his life, partying through the night and romancing the local girls. One morning though the fun stops, as he is awakened from his latest hangover by a sharp knock at the door. Head of the local “community association”, Bob, invites himself inside and presents his plans to paint a new paramilitary mural on the wall of Liam’s end-terrace house. Not only that, Bob claims that they like to consult the residents in the process and Liam is given a choice from a list of progressively more violent and controversial designs. Equal parts offended and terrified, Liam tries his best to veto each concept on its artistic merits alone, all the while struggling to keep his Catholic heritage hidden from an increasingly suspicious Bob.
Through a darkly comedic lens, Flags & Emblems explores the legacy of conflict in Northern Ireland, contrasting the experiences of those who lived through it and those born in its aftermath, as well as how the glorification of violence continues to linger in plain sight.
The yellow bench: rehearsed reading
Friday 18th July 2025 - Saturday 19th July 2025
Cock and Hens Productions Present: The Yellow Bench (A rehearsed reading)
Frances and Mary live in supported accommodation. One day they meet at The Yellow Bench (the 'Chatty Bench') in Lurgan Park and a very odd tale unfolds. About mixed up words, mucked up families and getting your order wrong in Starbucks. Even that's not it all really.... it's stranger than that... What's Frances doing with that petrol can and is that a sawn off shotgun in Mary's grip bag?
A new play by the joint author and Director of the sold out shows, 'One Saturday Before the War' and 'Stuck in the Middle with You' and the Director of 'Guy Mitchell's Dog's Dead - Pass It On'. With Cathy Brennan Bradley as Mary and Mary Jordan as Frances.
ADULT ADVISORY: Strong language and themes which may offend.
Spacebucket Rides Again: the teenage years
Tuesday 29th July 2025 - Saturday 2nd August 2025
It’s 1979. There’s a rumour on the Ballybeen Estate that the British army is behind the new mobile laundry service, which according to Big Sandra is… “awful good of them, it’s not as if they haven’t enough to do”. Marty says they can tell if you’re a terrorist by the state of your underwear. Wee Jim reckons that if that’s the case Spacebucket’s Ma should be in Long Kesh. Oh, and there’s a new girl in the flats, she’s arrived in “The Been” just at the same time as puberty, which doesn’t bode well. Sammy can’t understand why anyone would want to throw a sausage up Royal Avenue.
They’re back, Sammy, Marty, Wee Jim and Spacebucket, roaming Ballybeen, the biggest housing estate in western Europe, in the sequel to the outrageous “sell out” stage play GUY MITCHELL’S DOG’S DEAD, PASS IT ON.
Parental Advisory: Adult language, sexual references.
THE EAST LAFFS!
Belfast’s Funniest Night Out
Step into the quirky cabaret-style setting of The Sanctuary (Studio) Theatre in East Belfast and experience the electric atmosphere of the city’s most legendary comedy club night. This laugh-packed series brings together some of the finest comedic talent from across Northern Ireland and beyond. From rising stars to seasoned pros, each show features a fresh lineup of stand-up acts guaranteed to leave you in stitches.
🗓️ Thursday, 31 July 2025
🎤 Line up TBC
Shine bright
Theatre for All
Shine Bright is Bright Umbrella's empowering theatre based, community programme. Shine Bright responds to the needs and talent of the community, promoting and developing creative skills and encouraging community cohesion in a relaxed and informal setting.
Shine Bright meets on a Monday evening from 6:30-9pm. We work to develop skills in drama, build confidence and play creatively. Sessions are open to all adults who want to make new friends, gain confidence, have fun through Theatre!
The weekly session are on a PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN basis. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.
Ulster american by david ireland
Tuesday 26th August to Saturday 6th September. Doors 6.30. Show 7.00 (6 Sept matinee 2.00)
“ A line has been crossed…”.
A Holywood Actor, an ambitious English director and a Northern Irish playwright meet the evening before rehearsals start on an exciting new play… but will they see eye to eye on it and how far will they go for their views to be heard? A very dark comedy from East Belfast's award winning playwright David Ireland (The Lovers - Sky Atlantic, Cyprus Avenue - Royal Court Theatre).
Summer Camps
***** “A satire as timely as it is riotous” - The Guardian
***** “Outrageous and uproarious” - The Times
Contains very strong language, graphic violence, and references to sexual assault.
Running Time: 75 minutes without interval
'the yellow bench' by trevor gill
Visiting Show. Cock & Hens Productions proudly present a rehearsed reading of a brand new play.
The Yellow Bench (A rehearsed reading). Friday 18th and Saturday 19th July 2025. Doors 6.30. Show 7.30.
Frances and Mary live in supported accommodation. One day they meet at The Yellow Bench (the 'Chatty Bench') in Lurgan Park and a very odd tale unfolds. About mixed up words, mucked up families and getting your order wrong in Starbucks. Umm, well, it's a bit stranger than that actually.... much stranger... What's Frances doing with that petrol can and is that a sawn off shotgun in Mary's grip bag?
A new play by the joint author and Director of the sold out shows, 'One Saturday Before the War' and 'Stuck in the Middle with You' and the Director of 'Guy Mitchell's Dog's Dead - Pass It On'. With Cathy Brennan Bradley as Mary and Mary Jordan as Frances.
TICKETS £12.00. www.ticketsource.co.uk/cock-and-hen-productions
ADULT ADVISORY: Strong language and themes which may offend.
'spacebucket rides again': THE TEENAGE YEARS
Visiting Show. Cock & Hens Productions unashamedly present:
SPACEBUCKET RIDES AGAIN: THE TEENAGE YEARS. It’s 1979. There’s a rumour on the Ballybeen Estate that the British army is behind the new mobile laundry service, which according to Big Sandra is… “awful good of them, it’s not as if they haven’t enough to do”. Marty says they can tell if you’re a terrorist by the state of your underwear. Wee Jim reckons that if that’s the case Spacebucket’s Ma should be in Long Kesh. Oh, and there’s a new girl in the flats, she’s arrived in “The Been” just at the same time as puberty, which doesn’t bode well. Sammy can’t understand why anyone would want to throw a sausage up Royal Avenue.
They’re back, Sammy, Marty, Wee Jim and Spacebucket, roaming Ballybeen, the biggest housing estate in western Europe, in the sequel to the outrageous “sell out” stage play GUY MITCHELL’S DOG’S DEAD, PASS IT ON - as seen at The Sanctuary Theatre and The Lyric Theatre.
Written by the scurrilous Sam Robinson; Directed under duress by Trevor Gill ('I once directed Hamlet you know'); starring the fabulous Kealan McAllister; Stage Managed by Matthew 'It'll work OK on the night' Grimes
TICKETS £20.00. www.ticketsource.co.uk/cock-and-hen-productions
Parental Advisory: Adult language, sexual references.
one saturday before the war
Visiting Show. Cock & Hens Productions present:
Tuesday 7th to Saturday 18th September. Doors 6.30. Show 7.00 (Saturday matinees 2.00)
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND. The fabulous 'One Saturday Befor the War' sell out show returns to the Sanctuary stage with new scenes and some very special star guests!
Join Glentoran FC Captain Paddy McCann and his mighty 1914 ‘Euroglens’ as they beat the footballing cream of Europe to bring home the ‘Vienna Cup’ to East Belfast - the first ever trophy won by a British team on European soil. The Sanctuary Theatre turns red, green and black to the roar of, “Come on ye Glens!”.
“… brings a community’s history to life. It’s accessible, ambitious and reaching local audiences with nuanced storytelling that doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths”. (‘Alan in Belfast’ online review).
Audience reaction: “… funny, fearless, fantastic… cheers and one or two tears”… “The cast were individually and collectively brilliant... do not miss this. It is, like East Belfast, wonderful…. “the humour, music, storytelling, and acting were just brilliant. If you haven't got a ticket yet, get one, you won't regret it!”… ”,“… phenomenal… uplifting… funny…”, “…. parts had me in tears of laughter, parts gutted me to the soul…”.
BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT! TICKETS £20.00. www.ticketsource.co.uk/cock-and-hen-productions
