Sounds Of Shakespeare Workshops in Schools

(by C21 Theatre Company)

Transferring his writing from page to stage - C21 will show the ways in which a character speaks, reveals their thoughts and feelings. The Company will perform key scenes and speeches from Shakespeare and demonstrate the structure and variety of his blank verse. more information

Date(s):

22nd September, 2008 - 15th October, 2008

PS YOUR CAT IS DEAD @ Feile 08

(by c21 Theatre Company)

C21 THEATRE COMPANY RETURN WITH Ps Your Cat Is Dead to Feile An Phobail 2008. After playing to packed audiences in OMAC in June - C21 will perform in Europes biggest Community Festival on their 20th Anniversity!! more information

Date(s):

6th August, 2008 - 9th August, 2008

PS YOUR CAT IS DEAD

(by C21 Theatre Company)

It's New Year's Eve, your girlfriend is leaving you, you've been burgled twice,you've just lost your job....and the only one left to talk to is a gay burglar you have tied up in the kitchen.
Two desperate men thrown together when their lives have crumbled, willing to kill each other, until they discover that each is the other's only salvation. more information

Date(s):

24th June, 2008

Review:

THEATRE REVIEW: PS Your Cat is Dead
Anne-Marie Marquess enjoys some feline fun, night-time robbery and innovative comedy

If you’re in need of some fresh, innovative, hilarious, theatrical comedy, PS Your Cat is Dead is guaranteed to make you giggle. A novel and play witten by James Kirkwood Jr, C21 Theatre have adapated the play for a Northern Irish audience, taking it from it's Broadway roots to modern day, 21st century Belfast, with all it's sham, drudgery, broken dreams, and high hopes, of course.

PS Your Cat is Dead is set on New Year's Eve, and there’s a Christmas tree on set. Despite being the summer, this is Northern Ireland and the weather outside is frightful. A cosy atmosphere is created, the lights dim and the audience wait in anticipation as silence fills the air.

Suddenly a smash jolts us from our comfort. Silence again, then a tracksuit-clad figure appears, shining a torch. Just as the burglar (Tony Devlin) gets the DVD and CD player together, the door opens, the lights are switched on, and he dives for cover into the wardrobe. (A closet he will soon come out of later.)

Just as the burglar tries to do a runner, Jimmy enters and he dives under the bed. He is forced to listen to the couple arguing, culminating in Kate(Antoinette Morelli) leaving to go ice skating with her new man, Trevor (Damian McDonald).

Jimmy is pissed off. It’s New Years Eve, his beloved cat has died, his girlfriend has left him, he’s been burlged several times and has just officially become 'an out of work actor'.

As he sits down, exasperated, his eyes are drawn to a gun on the coffee table. Baffled, he picks it up, examining it. During yet another argument on the phone, he forcefully fires it.

At this point the burglar is determined to scarper. He’s getting scared. Jimmy chases him in a rage, and after much fighting and struggling, eventually ties him up above the sink. 'Boy,' he says, 'did you ever drop down the wrong chimney tonight...'
As Jimmy proceeds to talk to Tucker, a strange and bizarre dialogue ensues, and you begin to wonder who is scarier. The foul-mouthed, tracksuited, burglar who entered the place with a gun or the educated, angry occupant who has him tied up in a compromising position and has not yet decided what to do with him.
Jimmy cooly flicks his remote control, the sound of 'Ave Maria', fills the room and he pours himself a glass of champagne. He studies his victim and you begin to think there's a touch of American Psycho here. And as he sits down to his salad, you hope it doesn’t turn into a taste of Hannibal. 'You’re not some kind of psycho queer, are you?' Tucker asks, squirming in his ropes.
After Tucker begs to be untied to go to the loo, Jimmy takes a pair of scissors from the drawer. The burglar fears the worst and is somewhat relieved to lose only his trousers, as opposed to a certain part of his anatomy. Tucker's a man on the wrong side of the law, but Jimmy is a man on the edge, and there's no knowing which way he will swing.

Stephen Kelly, the co-founder of C21 is fantastic in the main role. He plays the psycho superbly, rage simmering beneath his handsome and charismatic surface, bubbling over into regular manic outbursts. His egocentric character could blow at any time, leading the burglar to produce a bong from his bag and offer Jimmy a smoke.
As the burglar lies tied to the sink with with bare, tattooed cheeks exposed, sipping coke, a crazed Jimmy questions him for a new book. Having both recently lost lovers, the two characters connect. Hard man Tucker turns out to have the hots for Jimmy. It's an unlikely New Years Eve scenario, with the cat burglar tied up like a naughty pet, along with a saucer of champagne.

When the square, suited, Trevor arrives with Kate, the two characters reinforce their bond, happily shocking the couple. There’s such good contrast between the characters in this production, with great comedic and touching moments. Even a foul mouthed burglar and an egotistical drifter can have good hearts.

Whether your cat has died, you’ve lost your job, you’re a petty thief or a thirtysomething drifter, and this play will appeal to many. There’s a lot of bad language though, so be prepared. And with a 'full moon' on display, it may be a little bit too cheeky for some.

Anne-Marie Marquess CULTURENI
www.culturenorthernireland.org

ALADDIN By Peter Quigley

(by C21 Theatre Company)

C21 PRESENT ALADDIN BY PETER QUIGLEY. THIS SPECTACULAR SHOW WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY QUIGLEY WILL PREMIERE IN BALLYMENA'S NEW 'BRAID' ARTS CENTRE. WATCH THIS SPACE FOR FURTHER DETAILS. more information

Date(s):

10th December, 2007 - 22nd December, 2007

Review:

PREVIOUS REVIEW OF PETER QUIGLEY'S ALADDIN:
'PETER QUIGLEY(OR 'PANTO PETE' AS I CALL HIM)IS ON FORM WITH A SHOW THAT HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE'
JULIAN SIMMONS - SUNDAY WORLD

The Indian

(by C21 Theatre Co.)

C21 BRINGS THIS CHILLING AND DISTURBING STUDY OF RACISM AND MINDLESS CRUELTY TO THE 2007 CATHEDRAL QUARTER ARTS FESTIVAL. more information

Date(s):

10th May, 2007 - 12th May, 2007

MASSAGE by Michael Wilcox

(by Old Museum Arts Centre Oct 12th 13th & 14th 2006)

Massage revolves around a massage boy, a bicycle builder and a journalist and "startles with its compassion for two bruised egos" (City Limits) and is "shot through with wry, extremely uncomfortable perceptions." (Financial Times)
more information

Date(s):

12th October, 2006 - 14th October, 2006

Review:

'Massage' - C21 Theatre Company, Old Museum Arts Centre, Belfast.

"I'm the Massage" says the cheery young teenager, as he bounds into the bicycle shop. Michael Wilcox's careful exploration of tangled lives avoids painting a stark picture of rights and wrongs as the massage(Rikki) recounts his time in children's homes to Mr Dodge(Tony).

Richard Orr paints a pathetic picture of a man looking for love, convinced he is doing what is right, and failing to understand bigger questions of reponsibility and trust.
Conor MacNeill's open-faced Rikki is a heartening example of one of life's survivors who has learnt about need and desire through his adopted parents.

Director Peter Quigley deftly weaves his way through this emotional minefield allowing the characters to reveal, little by little, their twisted feelings of guilt, indignation, aspiration and desire.
Who is the greater abuser of Simon? Tony, his replacement dad, who takes him cycling and camping, and later allows the boy to explore a little further than is wise? Or Simon's mother(Catherine Brennan), a busy single mum struggling to find her feet,and happy to see her son engrossed in books and films, no matter what their content?
Wilcox's script twists and turns until a clear cut answer is out of sight. Only Rikki can see the story from both sides - and he cant resist making a litte for himself out of the sorry mess of broken hearts.

But as this brave production shows - fired here by MacNeill and Orr - life is never lived in black and white, and abuse comes in many different guises.
Grania McFadden Belfast Telegraph 19th October 2006

The Zoo Story By Edward Albee

(by C21 Theatre Company)

The Zoo Story @ The Palm House Botanic Gardens more information

Date(s):

12th May, 2006 - 14th May, 2006

Review:

In the heady surroundings of Belfast’s Victorian Palm House during the past week, a little jewel of theatrical summer magic has been unfolding. Edward Albee’s first play ‘The Zoo Story’ is a powerful, thought-provoking piece when performed in any conventional drama space. But here, in a peaceful bower among palms and orange trees, two men’s tussle for control of a park bench is given new and unexpected resonance, in what amounts to an atmospheric, site-specific installation. C21 Theatre Company premiered Peter Quigley’s penetrating, thoughtful production at the Old Museum Arts Centre in the autumn of 2005 before touring it to regional venues. But here, in this brief revival, on a balmy summer evening, the shared experience Stephen Kelly’s suppressed, uneasy Peter and Richard Clements’s manically unstable Jerry takes on unnerving significance.

On the surface, Peter has it all – a steady job with a publishing firm, domestic contentment, material comforts. In contrast, Jerry is a dishevelled, dysfunctional bum, just the kind of guy one does not want disturbing a pleasant Sunday afternoon read in the park. Without invitation, Clements’s dead-eyed down-and-out spares his reluctant companion no sordid detail in the narration of his hard-luck story. His is a fluent, virtuoso physical performance, all the more affecting and challenging because of the close proximity of the audience. In contrast, Kelly’s unsettling stillness is all about what he does not say or do, leaving us to ask the questions – why does he keep his jacket closely buttoned, why does he leave his apparently happy family life to come here alone every Sunday, who is in charge of his destiny? Gradually, Albee peels back the realisation that we are all, in our different ways, trapped in the cages of individual existence. There is only one way out for Jerry and in Peter he finds the perfect accomplice. In the process, Peter, too, breaks free of his cage, only the hear the doors clank shut on a far worse life sentence.

Jane Coyle - Theatre Critic Irish Times

The Zoo Story

(by Edward Albee)

Two strangers meet in a park, and begin a conversation. Fifty minutes later, one of the characters lies dead on a bench, and the other screams like an animal from the wings. more information

Date(s):

18th February, 2006 - 5th March, 2006

Review:

NEWS LETTER - ALBEE'S PARK BENCH A SEAT OF LEARNING - This production of The Zoo Story by Edward Albee was performed by C21 Theatre Company and directed by Peter Quigley. It takes place in the beautiful green space of Central Park New York and is as much a clash between the two classes as a meeting between two individuals. The Zoo Story has long been a favourite one-act script and continues to deliver strongly. It might also have worked as a period piece, but the violent denouement still retains its shock value. It is a startlingly good vehicle for Richard Clements, who was by turns charismatic, crazy and comfortably relaxed in his role. He continues to develop his already excellent stage craft and timing, ably supported by Stephen Kelly.
Peter Quigley's work is always cutting-edge and this new production furthers his aim of encouraging emerging talent. At just under an hour catch this microcosm of Manhattan as soon as possible.
Liz Kennedy - News Letter - Monday 27th February 2006

The Maids

(by Jean Genet)

A taut masterpiece by one of the most controversial and anti-bourgeois writers of the twentieth century. This visually haunting production of Jean Genet’s revolutionary classic drama was performed by C21 as part of the programme of the 6th Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in May 2005. more information

Date(s):

5th May, 2005 - 7th May, 2005

Review:

BELFAST TELEGRAPH - MAID WITH SATIN SHEETS AND INCENSE -
There was a high representation from the arts world for C21's production of Jean Genet's revolutionary classic The Maids, which played at Exchange Place at the weekend.
Genets story of the Papin sisters, who plot the murder of their mistress, was given the full works by director Peter Quigley. Emma Little was bedecked with jewels for her role as mistress, Mark Claney was the beautiful Clare, while Chris Robinson gave the performance of the evening as Solange.
Actors and directors took their seats to watch this murderous tale unfold on satin sheets, with the scent of flowers ad incense in the air.
It was as Quigley said, 'very Edinburgh' - and none the less enjoyable for that.
Grania McFadden - Belfast Telegraph - Friday 13th May 2005

Sex Drugs Rock & Roll

(by Eric Bogosian)

Eric Bogosian uses his brilliantly conceived cast of characters to comment hilariously yet subtly on the larger issues that define our time: the relations between men and women, man’s vision of the world and future, self-delusion, anxiety and hatred. more information

Date(s):

1st June, 2004 - 2nd February, 2005

Review:

IRISH NEWS - EVERYONE HAS GOT A STORY TO TELL - New York playwright Eric Bogosian's one-man play performed by newly formed C21 Theatre Company gives 10 slices of how modern life is thoroughly rubbish. One by one a procession of 10 different characters walk out on stage , giving a brief look into their dead end lives.
We see the 'number one industrial ceramic tile sales man'(who curiously looks like the us presidential hopeful John Kerry)spending time with a prostitute instead of his daughter. We see a Keith Richards style guitarist (Stephen Kelly)who claims his life is saved from destuction.
In the best of the monologues Drew Thompson plays a megadeath t-shirt wearing rock fiend. His resulting tale manages to include tips on how to cook steak on drugs and we 'might as well party' after a wedding is postponed at the last minute.
Despite the humour in each monologue, as the play goes on the audience see more and more how much of a loser each character is. Bogosian doesnt provide a alternative, instead the next character gets on stage with his own tale to tell.
Graeme Neil - Irish News - Thurs 5th Aug 2004

The Zoo Story By Edward Albee

(by Ballymena Arts Festival)

After a very sucessful run of the Zoo Story in February and May 2006, C21 gives you a chance to catch this powerful story once again. For 2 nights only they wil perform as part of The Ballymena Arts Festival in Ballymena. more information

Date(s):

5th October, 2006 - 6th October, 2006

THE PALM HOUSE PROJECT

(by C21 THEATRE COMPANY)

An event not to be missed. more information

Date(s):

12th May, 2006 - 14th May, 2006

Valentines Night Fund Raiser

(by C21 Theatre Company)

Valentines Night Fund Raiser more information

Date(s):

12th February, 2006

Halloween Fundraising Party 2005

(by C21 Theatre Company)

C21 Theatre Company invites you and your friends to its 2005 fundraising Halloween Party in McHugh's Basement Bar, Mon. 31st. Oct. 8:30-till late. This is a great opportunity for members of the arts community to socialise and have a bit of fun.
Cabaret ~Tumbola~Fancy Dress~Prizes~Disco. !
Contact us to reserve your ticket(s). They are going fast!
more information

Date(s):

31st October, 2005

Sounds Of Shakespeare

(by C21 Theatre Company)

more information

Date(s):

30th November, 1999 - 30th November, 1999