Fishamble Theatre Company produces and develops most of the new works throughout Ireland. The have performed shows across the world in hundreds of venues. They receive hundreds of new paly submissions every year, my primary job here was Literary Assistant. That title made me feel special, not just an intern but the Literary Assistant, so professional. I was in charge of reading, recording and analyzing the new play submissions. I had to believe it’s almost over, where does the time go? I guess as they say, time flies when you’re having fun.

If you would have told me a year ago that I would be doing and helping theatre in Ireland, I wouldn’t have believed you. I remember trying to set up this internship up and thinking I had no idea what I was doing and I was going to mess everything up. Gavin and I talked back and forth over email for a while and tried to establish a time to have a phone conversation, but it was tricky due to the time zone difference. When we finally got a time that worked, it was at 7 am Mountain time so it could be 2 pm Irish time. I ended up waking at 6:45, setting up my laptop and a note book with questions and then called him at 7. We were on the phone for about 15 minutes where he told me I had the internship, then I immediately went back to sleep until 8 to get ready for class. I then had to wait like 4 months before I finally arrived in Ireland.

I was lucky enough to get three days in Dublin before my internship began. We arrived on Saturday the 2nd of June, but I didn’t start until the Tuesday the 5th because the 4th was a Bank Holiday. This allowed me to go into the city and begin to understand it before I had to deal with the hustle and bustle of the daily work rush. The first day was finally upon me, and I had no idea what to expect, but I was there bight eyed and bushy tailed. I knew that I would be reading plays but I wasn’t entire sure what that was going to entail. Let’s just say, the first day was daunting to say the least. I walk in and get shown around and receive a history of Irish theatre, and how Fishamble was established. I remember having a hard time understanding what Gavin was saying due to his accent. Then I am given ten plays that I am supposed to read by Friday in order to get an understanding of the style of plays they are looking for. One of the days, I went to a coffee shop and read plays outside, I felt like such a tourist. When I came in that Friday, we discussed the plays I read and began to go over what exactly I was going to be doing day to day.

Throughout my time here, I read twenty-two plays and wrote reports and letters for each of them. I will say, some plays were better than others. That being said, I read each one to its fullest and gave each their best chance. It was great because I felt so important, I wasn’t just doing small things and meaningless tasks, I was working on a project that needed to get done, and I became clear that Fishamble trusted me and my judgement to read these new plays. My first report was stressful. I tried to copy a previous one that the last intern did. Understandably, Gavin was very vigilant of the first report to make sure I understood what I was supposed to doing. However, as the weeks progressed, I could tell he began to trust my judgement which made me feel accomplished. Out of all the plays I read, there were some great ones, but also a few that I wasn’t a huge fan of. But Gavin could tell immediately after reading my reports my opinions on each of the plays. I guess my tone, even in just reading it, was pretty apparent and hard to hide. Due to the large amount of submission Fishamble gets every year, they can only produce a handful of them. Therefore, after most of the plays I have had to write a letter to each of the playwrights telling them what I like about the play, what, if they were to revise this play, improvement could be made, and that I’m very sorry but Fishamble will not be producing this play. However, one day there was a play that Gavin and I both agreed was intriguing for an Irish audience and the style that Fishamble is looking for. So, we invited him to come in a have a meeting with us to discuss what his intentions for his play. It was a nice change of pace.

During my last two week, I was given the opportunity to help with rehearsals for a play that Fishamble is producing for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August. I spent the first hour or so of my day, working with the actors to memorize their lines. I felt like I was back in a familiar situation in the rehearsal process of a show. Although I have dedicated a year and a half to learn all about each of the elements of theatre it takes to do a show in order to understand the importance of what everyone does and have a better appreciation of them and their work, it felt good to get back to my roots for a bit.

All in all, this whole experience has been better than I could have imagined. The ability to see the process of what it takes to put on a show in the preparation stage. I don’t normally join the team until the rehearsals start or as early as casting, but this is the decision stage. Seeing all the work that goes into a show before anyone even joins the team. Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.  

Zachary Heygood is studying at the University of Colorado.

On Sunday 24th June 2018, Fishamble and Irish Rail partnered to create a day-long playwriting workshop between Dublin and Bray called #PlaysonaTrain, taking place on train carriages and in Bray itself. 9 playwrights were chosen from a social media competition, and by the end of the day these playwrights had each written a short play based on trains. ​​​​

Off at the Next Stop by Emmaleene Leahy

ACT  1

Scene 1

Three women sit on a train. Two sisters, Laura and Sarah and a third lady (Mary) with lots of bags and chatter.

MARY:
I watch the soaps. Now I’m not addicted to them. They’re on for half an hour and I watch them. If I miss them, sure I catch up.

Sarah the older sister looks bored and scrolls through her phone.

LAURA:
I love to put my feet up with a good book.

MARY:
God, I’d be asleep by the first line. I’m too tired to read.

LAURA:
I find I’m looking at a screen all day, the last thing I want to see is a screen.

MARY:
Oh, I’m on my feet all day.

Sarah catches Laura’s eye and throws her eyes up to heaven. The train stops (announcement "This train is now stopping at ...). Mary, not expecting it, flustered grabs bags and coat.

MARY:
This is my stop. Nice to see you ladies. I look forward to receiving the wedding invitation.

Mary rushes off the train, almost tripping.

SARAH:
Thank God She’s gone. She doesn’t shut up.

LAURA:
Ah, she’s harmless enough. Just a bit lonely is all. Don’t be mean.

SARAH:
Oh, I know. I’ve been looking forward to a chat with my little sister is all.

LAURA:
I know. I was surprised when you rang me.

SARAH:
We never get to see each other. How have you been keeping? How are you and Tom getting on?
 
LAURA:
Great. Been busy with the wedding coming up. There’s so much to organize.

SARAH:
Actually, I want to talk to you about Tom. I heard some rumours and I didn’t want you to hear it from someone else.

LAURA:
What type of rumours?

She gets out a nail file from her handbag and files a broken nail in an agitated way.

SARAH:
He was seen with someone else.

LAURA:
You were always so jealous of me.

SARAH:
I’m only telling you this because I care about you. I’m trying to save you from humiliation.

LAURA:
You just can’t bear to see anyone else happy.

She puts her nail file back into her bag and slams it down.

SARAH:
Do you really want to marry a cheat?

LAURA:
You were the same when we were younger. You even caused Mam and Dad to split up for a while.

SARAH:
No, I didn’t.

LAURA:
You did anything for attention.

SARAH:
I was sick in hospital.

LAURA:
You starved yourself.

SARAH:
I had anorexia.

LAURA:
I don’t care. I’ve had enough of your bitterness spoiling everything all my life. I never want to see you again.

SARAH:
Ah Laura.

LAURA:
Don’t come near my wedding.
Laura stands up and walks away.
 
Scene 2

Tom is on the dart, on the phone to Laura.

TOM:
Yea, I’ll be late again tonight. Have to keep the client happy. How else are we going to pay for this wedding?
An announcement chime rings out over the tanoy.

TOM:
Sorry I have to go.
He hangs up quickly. He is jittery, bouncing his knee. He puts his phone in his pocket then takes it out again. He sends a text to Laura. "Sorry boss walked in had to hang up." His phone rings.

TOM:
Hi Sarah.

He listens, nodding.

Yea. I’ll be there in 20 minutes. Yea. See you then.

The train stops, doors open a man in a shirt and tie, (Richard) gets on. Tom sees him slouches down, ducks his head, tries to cover his face to avoid eye contact.

Richard walks down the aisle of the Dart and stops when he recognises Tom.

RICHARD:
Tom? Is that you?

Tom looks up, a fake surprised expression on his face and a grin like a grimace.

TOM:
Richard?

RICHARD:
I thought it was you alright.

Richard sits down beside Tom.

I haven’t seen you in ages. Any news? You’ve a wedding coming up?
 
TOM:
Yeah, Yeah.

RICHARD:
What has you on this train. Didn’t you decide to build on the other side of town? What could you be going to Bray for? I presume that’s where you are going since it’s the only stop left.

Tom blushes and shifts awkwardly in his seat.

TOM:
Ah, eh, um. Just a bit of unfinished business to sort out is all. Nothing interesting.
 
Scene 3

Laura is on the train, a suitcase beside her, eyes puffy, a crumpled tissue in her hand. She stares vacantly out the window.

Mary gets on, sees Laura.

MARY:
Laura is that you?

Mary sits across from Laura.

What are you doing here on the Dart? You are normally on the train. You must be doing something for the wedding, a fitting or something? How’re you fixed? I’m still waiting for my invitation.

LAURA:
Well, um actually, I’m not sure if it’s actually going to go ahead. It’s postponed.

MARY:
Oh, right? (Pause) And what are you up to now then?

LAURA:
Going to see my sister.

MARY:
That’s nice. And what’s the story with the wedding? Was it too expensive after building the house? Do you need more time to save or something?

LAURA:
No.

MARY:
What was it then?

LAURA:
I found him in bed with my sister.
 
MARY:
What? No way. Oh my God. Where?

LAURA:
In our bed.

MARY:
In that new house of yours?

Laura nods eyes down.

The one you just built together? It’s like a mansion. I heard you’ve all the mod cons, underfloor heating the lot. I can’t believe he did that he seemed so nice and charming. A proper gentleman.

Mary notices the suitcase.

MARY:
Where are you really going?

LAURA:
To see my sister.

MARY:
After she did that to you?

LAURA:
I’m going to confront her.

MARY:
Are you sure you want to do that?

LAURA:
I’m on the train now, there’s no turning back.

MARY:
What’s the suitcase for?
​
LAURA:
For after, no point in hanging around. Nothing left for me here.


Emmaleene Leahy is a teacher and writer. She has been successful in various writing competitions and has previously published some of her fiction, poetry and criticism. She has 1st class hons M.A. in Anglo-Irish Lit and drama and 1st class hons in Creative writing for Publication. She has recently discovered a love for screenwriting and was shortlisted by IFB twice in the past year.

She absolutely loved the #Playsonatrain experience, it was a privilege to meet such an amazing group of people and to be creative in such a supportive atmosphere. She was so inspired that she kept writing. There’s a lot more to follow, let’s just say that things get a whole lot more dramatic when Laura turns up to her sister’s house to find Tom there and her sister Sarah who has some news for them both.

On Sunday 24th June 2018, Fishamble and Irish Rail partnered to create a day-long playwriting workshop between Dublin and Bray called #PlaysonaTrain, taking place on train carriages and in Bray itself. 9 playwrights were chosen from a social media competition, and by the end of the day these playwrights had each written a short play based on trains. ​​​

The Brood by Kate O'Connor

Characters:
Aoife - the bride-to-be
Sinéad - the bridesmaid
Louise - a friend
 
They all speak in Munster accents.
 
Setting: the train departing Connolly, Aoife is adjusting her ‘bride-to-be’ crown while looking in a pocket mirror, Sinéad is busying herself with a bottle of Prosecco and a handful of plastic wine glasses, finally Louise comes rushing into the carriage, backpack on one shoulder, completely out of breath.
 
Louise: Jesus, sorry I’m late; the 49 took forever this morning.
 
Sinéad: We thought you were ghosting us Lou!
 
Aoife: Ah, would ya stop. You’re grand Louise, sure you’re here now. We’ve had fierce drama already, didn’t Eddie’s Mam do a shot of Sambuca on the Luas on the way in, and now she’s hanging off the loo! 
 
Louise: Jesus, it’s a bit early for that isn’t it? And …. Well… like, she’s a bit over the hill for that kind of carry on, isn’t she?
 
Sinéad: oooh, ageist now are we?
 
Aoife: It’s her first hen, Eddie’s Dad told her that’s what him and the lads did on the stag and she thought we’d be the same.
 
Sinéad: Ah no, we’re ladies (stands up and gestures around the carriage). The aim of the game girls is ENDURANCE. The running order is: Bubbly, food, drinks, nap, don the rig outs, then a fine big dinner, and sure that’ll have us set up so we’ve a good run at the night.
(She does a little dance)
Aoife, it’s gonna be a mad one (cheers)
 
Aoife: (laughing) My last night as a single pringle. Are you ready, Lou Lou?
 
Louise: (grabbing a bottle of Prosecco and taking a swig) Yeah, bring it on!
 
Aoife: Wooh, we’re gonna find Louise a fine strap of a man, tonight. Road frontage and everything.
 
Louise: (face dropping and muttering under her breath) uh, for fuck sake. (Then, out loud) Ah it’s your night Aoife, it’s all about you. (Starts to sing out of tune) It’s all about you, it’s all about you baby.
 
Sinéad joins in and they sing a bar and then fade away as neither of them know the words.
 
A voice comes over the intercom announcing the departure of the train to Galway and listing all the stops. The girls busy themselves in their seats, putting coats on racks, and placing rubbish in the bin, readying themselves for the journey. Louise unzips her top to reveal a t-shirt with a picture of Aoife on the front, and the caption ‘Aoife’s Hen’.
 
Sinéad: Ah great, you got the t-shirt then.
 
Louise: Yeah, it’s a fab picture of you Aoife (she turns around to reveal a picture of a man on the back with the words ‘She gives great H-Eddie’).
 
Aoife: Thanks pet, it’s from our first holiday so it’s really sentimental.
 
The girls are all sitting now, with Sinéad and Aoife facing Louise.
 
Aoife: Oh Lou, are you bringing a plus one to the wedding?
 
Louise: No, all’s quiet on the homestead just now, and I’d rather just focus on having a fun day with ye anyway (she awkwardly adjusts her hair).
 
Sinéad: Y’know one of the girls in work signed up for Bumble, and she’s been on three dates with this lad from Bray, and she said he’s great. Like, he’s not a weirdo or anything.
 
Aoife: That sounds great, you should give that a try Lou.
 
Louise: Yeah (pauses) yeah, maybe.
 
Sinéad: What happened with that Darren lad from work? I thought you two were getting along really well.
 
Aoife: Eh, yeah - didn’t you guys score?
 
Sinéad’s jaw drops as she turns to look at Louise. Louise looks away and then back again.
 
Sinéad: Like, proper score?
 
Louise: Yeah, it was a stupid thing to do. We were just really drunk on a Friday night a few weeks back.
 
Aoife: Has he texted you since?
 
Louise: No but (pauses) but Sharon from Procurement mentioned the other day that (pauses) well, apparently he’s fucking engaged.
 
Aoife: NO FUCKING WAY. Jeeze, if he was a dog he’d be put down, that one.
 
Sinéad: And did you know he had a girlfriend?
 
Louise: Of course I didn’t. I wouldn’t of touched him if .. (she trails off and stares out the window).
 
Aoife: He’s a right wanker Lou. I’m sorry, but you have to get back up on the horse, plenty more fish and all that.
 
Louise: (sarcastically) Yeah, I’m sure there’s plenty more married men for me to fool around with.
 
Aoife: And what’s that supposed to mean?
 
Louise puts her face in her palms. Sinéad picks up her phone and pretends to be completely absorbed in it.
 
Louise: Sorry Aoife, I didn’t mean anything by that.
 
Aoife: I dunno why I ever told ye about that. It’s not that big a deal, it was just that one time and I was being a right mare around then, moaning about work all the time. Me and Eddie have put all that behind us now. I just wish everyone else would do the same.
 
Sinéad: (puts her phone down) Of course Aoife love, and sure you know him better than anyone.
 
Aoife: Like, every couple have their fights, you have to just ride the storm. That’s what being in a proper relationship is all about Louise.
 
Louise: (Now indignant) Ah here Aoife just cos I won’t put up with some lad being a dirty dog, doesn’t make me incapable of being in a relationship.
 
Aoife: Fuck off with your ‘hashtag me too’ shite. This is what love really is, it’s not all avocado and eggs on a Saturday morning (pause) ah, I don’t know why I’d expect you to understand.  
 
Louise looks hurt, Aoife turns her head away.
 
Sinéad: (gently) Girls, let’s not ruin a great weekend with stupid talk about lads. Mates before dates, remember.
 
Aoife: Well, I didn’t start it.
 
Sinéad looks at Louise, gesturing to her to talk to Aoife.
 
Louise relents.
 
Louise: Sorry Aoif’- sure you know I’m mad about you and Eddie. Ye belong together.
 
Sinéad: Yeah, like Brennan’s bread and cheese and onion Tayto’s.
 
Aoife: Or, like Harry and Meghan.
 
Louise raises a glass of Prosecco.
 
Louise: To the royal wedding of Aoife and Eddie.
 
Aoife: (raises her own glass) To finding Lou Lou a man.
 
---

​Originally from Limerick, Kate lives in Dublin and works in digital content management by day to pay for many, many trips to the theatre at night. 

Train of Thought by Kevin Johnston
 
The carriage of a train. It’s a warm, sunny, Summer’s day. ADAM and BEN, dressed for the weather, sit beside each other, a small rucksack on Adam’s lap, and an empty bottle of water in Ben’s hand.
 
BEN
Here, d’ya have any more water in your bag there? I’m all out.
 
ADAM
Sure, hang on.
 
Adam rummages through his bag.
 
ADAM
Oh shit, yeah.
 
He takes out a bottle of water and hands it to Ben, who takes a big gulp from it whilst Adam continues to rummage through the bag, taking out a small brown paper bag, which he presents to a confused Ben.
 
ADAM
Here, I nearly forgot I got you these.
 
Ben opens the bag to reveal a deck of cards. He takes them out and immediately starts shuffling them.
 
BEN
Aww, nice one!
 
ADAM
They’re fresh from Paris (He ironically pronounces it Par-ray). So don’t say I didn’t get you any nice presents.
 
BEN
Whilst shuffling the deck

Thanks man. Here, think of a card, any card.
 
ADAM
And I figured I owe you a new set after ruining your other one from my leaving do.
 
BEN
Ah right of course! Jeez that was some night wasn’t it?
 
ADAM
Yeah, couldn’t have thought of a better way to say goodbye though.

The train stops to allow passengers get on and off. Among the passengers who enter the train is a WOMAN of similar age to the boys.
 
BEN
[fingering through the cards in his hand]

Okay, and look at me.
 
ADAM
How do they measure up to the old set set from the party?
 
BEN
[Whilst shuffling the deck]

Haven’t broke them in properly yet, but they shuffle well – and that’s always a good sign.
 
ADAM
Well, they did a good job of making my money disappear – so there’s always that.
 
Ben glares at Adam, who smirks in reply.
 
BEN
[removes card from the deck]

Is this your card?
 
ADAM
No.
 
BEN
[performs a “snap change” trick, changing the card to the Queen of Diamonds]

You sure?
 
ADAM
Geez Ben you’re way better than when I last saw you.
 
BEN
Well a lot has changed since we last saw each other. Speaking of which, I don’t even remember you leaving that party.
 
ADAM
That’s because Kate took me back to hers. Well, Sarah’s place technically – because she was holding her up for the night.
 
BEN
And yiz didn’t, y’know... [Clicks tongue], did yiz?
 
ADAM
No, we cuddled Disney movies all night. We both figured that’d be a nice way to cap a year’s worth of will-we, wont-we sexy texting.
 
BEN
Yeah but in Sarah’s gaff though?
 
ADAM
Listen, when a woman as sexy as Kate asks you to do shit as freaky as that, you’d drop your pants right now and do it here on the train.
 
Ben looks uncomfortable, and silently reshuffles his deck for a while.
 
BEN
So now that you’re back, do you think yiz might get it on full time?
 
ADAM
Doubtful. I snuck out early the next morning because well, you know what Sarah’s ma is like. And then I left two days later. Haven’t talked since.
 
BEN
That’s a shame.
 
The train lurches forward. Ben drops the deck. The WOMAN comes over to help tidy his mess. She hands over a handful of cards to Ben, but her smile drops upon making eye contact with the boys. She drops the cards on Ben’s lap and quickly moves to another side of the carriage.
 
ADAM
What’s her problem?
 
BEN
Ah it’s probably the heat – sure isn’t it everyone’s problem at this rate?
 
Adam sighs. The train stops.
 
ADAM
Oh shit this is me. Talk t’ya man.
 
They hug.
 
BEN
Yeah, yeah, bye.
 
Adam gets off the train as Ben looks uneasily towards the Woman. He absent-mindedly shuffles the deck and bites his lip, deep in thought. After a while, he gets up and walks over to her.
 
BEN
Hey, I just wanted to- Kate?
 
The WOMAN, now KATE, looks up at Ben, but upon recognising him her expression drops and she sighs.
 
KATE
Hello, Ben.
 
BEN
So it is you, I love the new hair. I just wanted to say if I upset you back there, I’m sorry.
 
KATE
You didn’t upset me.
 
BEN
Are you sure, because you looked pretty steamed.
 
KATE
Yes, it’s just – I didn’t know he – no, never mind.
 
The train stops.
 
BEN
No seriously, what’s wrong? Is it something to do with Adam?
 
KATE
Just leave me alone, okay?.
 
She puts in her earphones and leaves the train. Ben looks on at her, concerned. He stands for a while in pensive silence as the train moves forward again. Eventually, he takes out his phone, and punches in a number.
 
BEN
Hi, Sarah?... It’s Ben... Yeah, yeah I’m not too bad... Listen, I was wondering if we could meet up for a chat soon?... Can we not do any sooner? I’m not sure if this can afford to wait... It’s about Adam’s leaving do last November... Yeah, tomorrow suits.
 
Lights fade down as Ben confirms details down the phone.
 
END. 

Kevin is from Clondalkin, Dublin and has a great interest in both English-language and Irish-language theatre, in particular writing, performing and directing. He also has an interest in prose writing. His most recent play, Delayed, was performed by Acting Out Theatre Group as part of their Christmas Short Play Festival in 2017. He really enjoyed the company and supportive atmosphere of the Plays on a Train workshop, and would highly recommend the experience to others.