CATALPA
BY DONAL O'KELLY
18 June, 2005 and 7 October, 2008
Catalpa is a story in the great epic tradition of Moby Dick
and Gone With The Wind with a passing glance at the Great
Escape. From New Bedford, USA to Freemantle, Australia,
across the high seas on the whaling ship Catalpa. Based on
the true story of the daring rescue of six Irish prisoners
in 1875, it culminates in the first ever-ticker tape parade
in New York City. It has played all over the world to
enthusiastic audiences and rave reviews. It features the
playwright and well know film and stage actor, Donal
O'Kelly, in the lead role, and live music is provided by
Trevor Knight.
"Brilliant writing, bravura performance" - THE SUNDAY
TIMES
"A soaring, theatrical Catalpa....a rip-roaring one-man
adventure" - WASHINGTON POST
"A marathon of dazzling theatrical storytelling" - THE
TIMES
"A masterpiece...searingly satirical, comic, tragic,
profoundly sensitive." - THE SCOTSMAN
"Marvellous feat...wonderfully varied and passionate." -
HERALD SUN MELBOURNE
"Exuberant, exhilarating, magical...it's a triumph, a joy,
a delight." - THE IRISH TIMES
"Catalpa's magic." - CRITICS' CHOICE, TIME OUT, LONDON
View photos - 2008 (coming soon)
Read the letter of acknowledgment
from Solidarité pour les enfants du Kenya
(SPEK) following the performance, October
2008
View photos - 2005
View programme - 2005