SYNOPSIS
Our story starts with the death of Fr Donovan, Fr Mathew's mentor who was a restraining influence on his drinking and spending. With Fr Donovan gone, Fr Mathew takes on more grandiose schemes on behalf of the poor getting deeper in debt and drinking heavily to cope with the stress of his workload.
As his drinking reaches its nadir his own nature is revealed to him in the shape of a demon. This demon is his companion for the rest of the play and through the demon we are privy to Fr Mathews private thoughts. The demon clambers around the space on a climbing frame goading Fr Mathew to embrace his true nature, rejoicing in his many defeats and victories.
We follow Fr Mathew as he single-headedly ends an epidemic of alcoholism in Ireland, signing up over three million members to his total abstinence pledge, changing the economic and political climate of his day.
He is feted as a hero by Orangemen in Ulster and Daniel O'Connell kneels before him to receive the pledge in front of a multitude in Cork and he is the first European to address a joint session of the United States Congress since la Fayette a century before.
Such achievements come at a price; blind to financial and political realities Fr Mathew is brought to the brink of financial ruin and finally spurned by his family and his beloved church. At the end of his life dependent on the goodwill of the southern American states for his financial survival, he equivocates on the issue of slavery at an abolitionist meeting in Boston. This action sullies his reputation at home and abroad and he returns to Cork to be hounded by creditors and bankers 'til the end of his days.
The play features three characters, Fr Mathew, his demon and his Sacristan, John, who acts as a narrator and through whom we are introduced to the story.
It is the character of Fr Mathew who drives the story however. The part requires a range from the depth of delirium tremens to the qualities of one of the greatest orators Ireland has ever produced. A man with awe inspiring charisma who can fill a room with his presence. Fr Matthew is the story, perhaps the tragedy of such a man.
CREATIVE TEAM
Father Mathew features Malcolm Adams in the title role; Liam Heffernan as John, his faithful and plain-spoken assistant; and adding an element of magic realism, Carl Kennedy as the Demon. Set design is by Marcus Costello; lighting design by Lizzie Powell; and costume design by Sinead Cuthbert.
Fr Mathew is produced by Yew Tree Theatre, who brought Alone It Stands to the inaugural festival in 2001. The play features Malcolm Adams who played Tony Ward in that production and recently returned to Tasmania to film the life of Alexander Pearse, the notorious escapee and cannibal. Biographies of the playwright, director and designers are attached.
Technical Info
The set is made of box steel and wood. It would probably be cheaper to construct onsite than to ship it, however if there were more than one set coming from Ireland that might make it more feasible.
Cost of Show
The play has a cast of three and a crew of three. The director would also need to travel. As with other shows in the past from Ireland, Culture Ireland are well disposed to supplementing the cost of Irish productions travelling abroad.
Touring Information
The production is not on the road at present but if a member of your programming team were in Ireland we could put it on at reasonably short notice (actors availability permitting).