Paddy goes to Petra
About
Rural Ireland meets the Middle East when Irish farmer Paddy's only son dies unexpectedly, and his lust for life vanishes. A trip to the ancient city of Petra encourages him to feel a fresh wonder for the world, develop new friendships and an exciting love affair...with himself. Pretending to lose his passport so he can stay on longer, Paddy begins a journey of recovery and unleashes renewed enthusiasm for living. How much time can he really spend away from his wife, farm and responsibilities back in Ireland, however?
Awards
Awards: Standing Ovation Nomination
London Pub Theatre Critic’s Choice of Best Fringe Theatre 2022
Reviews
“The play is as amusing as it is poignant, deftly tackling some difficult issues with relatable tenacity and stoicism.” ★★★★★ London Theatre 1
“Paddy Goes to Petra” feels like a flawless theatrical masterpiece…Áine Ryan skilfully combines tragedy and comedy, embroiling the audience in an adventure to a foreign land” ★★★★★ Westend Evenings
“an excellent piece of theatre” ★★★★★ The Irish World
“I’ve been lucky enough to review a number of shows for London Pub Theatres this year but hadn’t seen THE show that would live in the memory and cause one’s heart to sing. Until now. Hurrah! Poetic and Poignant” ★★★★ ½ London Pub Theatres
Dunlea imbues Paddy with warmth and has irrepressible storytelling skills…Commanding the Brockley Jack Stage, his performance feels intimate but engaged with the world Paddy is experiencing. It is in short an almost perfect solo-show performance. Near perfection is also found in Ryan’s script. Exceptionally funny and occasionally heart-breaking, it (based on Ryan’s own trip to Petra in 2018) feels both personal and universal in its examinations of grief, marriage and the implications of travel…Paddy Goes To Petra is a perfectly judged slice of theatrical power: moving, funny, eye-opening and consistently engaging. With such an assured script in the hands of a masterful performer, the audience can’t help but feel transported. ★★★★ The Reviews Hub
Dunlea’s heartfelt performance is supported by some beautiful contributions from the team of creatives. The stage at the Jack Studio is transformed by Constance Comporat to capture the Jordanian look… Alex Forey sensitively lights all of this, further enhancing the changing moods. Music by Cáit Ní Riain & Eyal Arad blends Irish and Arabian instruments and sounds that accompany most scenes, reminding us of the combination of the two cultures, suggesting where he has come from and where he is now living his new-found existence. The rapport Dunlea maintains with his audience makes for a thoroughly enjoyable evening of storytelling that has some surprising and moving moments. ★★★★ Broadway Baby
Performed with great sensitivity by Brendan Dunlea… it is so movingly told – and there are some funny moments in between. It really is too short a run for a polished piece of work with something really interesting to say. ★★★★ Reviewsgate
Performances
Nenagh, Ireland - Nenagh Arts Centre, May 2023
London, UK - Jack Studio Theatre, November 2022
Galway, Ireland - An Taibhdhearc, May 2022
Thurles, Ireland - The Source Arts Centre, February 2020
Creative Team
Written and Directed by Áine Ryan
Performed by Brendan Dunlea
Music by Eyal Arad & Cáit Ní Riain (Live Performances in Thurles and Galway)
Lighting Design by Alex Forey
Set Design by Constance Comparot
Operator - Scarlett Bryan (London), Aindriú De Buitiléir (Galway) Dan Matthews (Thurles)
Assistant Designers - Olivia Clark, Dumitru Chicu, Geonkuk Chang, Agnes Yeung, Chon Hang Fong
Dramaturgy by Pamela McQueen with thanks to support from Galway Theatre Festival
Photography by Steve Gregson (London), Clara Planelles (Galway) & Lina Simoliunaite (Thurles)
Special Thanks to Sahar Gilabadi, Róisín Ryan, Brendan Maher, John Cummins, Daniel Matthews, Galway Theatre Festival, Karl and Kate at Jack Studio Theatre, London
Paddy goes to Petra (Audio Play)
(DIR. Anna Nugent, PROD. Gavin Byrne)
NEAR FM, NOVEMBER 2021
An earlier version of the Paddy goes to Petra script was recorded as an audio play as part of Near FM’s New Drama Hour Women Playwrights Series. It was produced by Gavin Byrne, and broadcast over two parts in November 2021.
Cast – Abdul Alshareef as Farajh, Imad, Morris, Farmer; Tim Casey as Paddy; Gina Costigan as Air Hostess, Attendant 2; Jessie Doyle as Ryanair Hostess, Attendant 4, Bereavement Counselor; Mo O’Connell as Joanna, Attendant 1; Eoin O’Sullivan as John Beag, Tom Murray, Dermot; Paul Nugent as Jack, Cillian, Radu, Captain and Fiana Toibin as Eilis.
Made with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence Fee.
Available to listen to here - Paddy goes to Petra