Irish Travellers "Arrive" in New York!

NPT is pleased to announce a special presentation by Irish Traveller and actor Michael Collins, performing Mobile and It’s a Cultural Thing, or is it?, for one week only, opening Wednesday, June 18th and closing Sunday, June 22nd.  Travellers have become an increasing presence in pop-culture in recent years, with the hit televsion show The Riches  being perhaps the most well-known example.  It is estimated that approximately 7,000 Travellers live in the U.S. today. 

The historical origins of Travellers are subject to speculation and controversy, and the truth is made more difficult to uncover by the fact that the Travellers themselves have no written records of their own story.  What cannot be disputed, however, is their centuries-old struggle to preserve a distinct ethnic identity and the increasing hardships Travellers face in a newly prosperous Irish Republic determined to end their “travelling”.  By taking to the stage, actor and activist Michael Collins is forging a new tradition for his culture and using the power of theatre to challenge assumptions and prejudices about the Traveller community—both internally and externally.  His work has received rave reviews at the Dublin Fringe Festival and the Leeds Irish Arts Festival.  New Perspectives Theatre Company is delighted to bring these two plays to American audiences for the first time.

(It’s a Cultural Thing, or is it?) is “Entertaining, enriching and provocative—you could hardly ask for more from a show. These engaging, true tales portray the discrimination and hardship routinely experienced by the Travelling community. Collins is an effective presence and tells his stories with humor, passion and a total absence of self-pity.” ***** Dublin Fringe Festival, Irish Times, 9/21/05

“Michael Collins once again demonstrates his substantial writing and acting abilities in this one-man performance.  For pure power and an insight into conflict resolution in a unique culture, Mobile is a Must See!” Richard O’Neill, Writer and Broadcaster, Manchester, England.

It’s a Cultural Thing, or is it?  offers a fast-paced sequence of stories that are a microcosm of the history of the Traveller Community over the past 40 years.  It chronicles Michael’s personal journey from living in a barrel-top wagon as a child on the road with his family, to their move to Dublin and the end of the traditional way of life.  Along the way, he must convince his daughter to stay in school—an unconventional point of view for Travellers long resistant to assimilation.  Mobile is a courageous one-man play that explores the contentious issue of feuding between Traveller families from the inside out.  Based on material generated from workshops, the play seeks to shed light on a subject that continues to be a source of puzzlement and dismay to settled people.  Mobile skillfully examines the emotional and physical trauma of the conflicts faced by the main character, Peter, when he is required to fight his cousin and best friend, Paul, for the sake of family pride.  Both plays are directed by Mick Rafferty.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

WHEN:      

June 18-22, 2008, Wednesday- Saturday, 8:00 pm; Sunday at 2pm

with alternating performances

Mobile: Wednesday and Friday at 8:00pm; Sunday at 2pm

It’s a Cultural Thing, or is it?: Thursday and Saturday at 8pm.

WHERE:      

New Perspectives Theatre Company

456 West 37th Street (at 10th Avenue)

TICKETS:      $18 /$15 students and seniors. TDF accepted

Call 212-630-9945 or email contact@newperspectivestheatre.org for reservations.