Iris Robinson 'Inspires' New Drama

Contentious views on homosexuals voiced on the BBC by former politician Iris Robinson have inspired a new drama in a True North season by new writing theatre company Tinderbox.

God's Country centres on a family at the centre of Northern Ireland politics and is set in Co Down and written by new north Down-born playwright, Colin Bell. It is to open in Belfast for five performances at the end of this month.

It will run in the Crescent Arts Centre (pictured) from Thursday 30th September starring actor and journalist Ivan Little and Bangor-based actress Laura Hughes alongside Claire Lamont, Paul Mallon and Patrick Buchanan.

The story follows a fictional Stormont MLA Patricia Williamson who is preparing to speak at a charity ball - her first public appearance since the stroke which ended the career of her MP husband James.

Stepping out from his giant shadow, this is Patricia's chance to establish herself as a political force to be reckoned with.

Her advisors know that the speech will come under intense scrutiny as she addresses the murder of a young gay man by Lithuanian workers in her constituency and they know it's a time for condolence and sensitivity.

What they don't know is that Patricia's son is about to arrive home from exile in London with his partner Jonathan, and some ideas for a speech of his own.

This is the first play by playwright Colin Bell, who currently lives in Edinburgh and was born and raised in Bangor, Co. Down. A secondary school science teacher by day, Colin has always had an interest in theatre and was accepted on to the MA Writing for Performance at Goldsmiths, London.

Speaking of his inspiration behind the play Colin commented: "Coming from Northern Ireland, the effect of small communities fearing what the neighbours think has always interested me; how their influence has forced so many away and destroyed families and lives," he said, but added, "rather than write a rant about homophobic politicians I wanted to create a more powerful piece that attempted to empathise and understand how a mother, a female politician, finds herself as a self-proclaimed morality defender".

The drama is one of three plays from Tinderbox theatre company running at the Crescent Arts Centre as part of the True North season from 29 September - 16 October.

All three plays are written by local playwrights and consider life in today's Northern Ireland.

For more information and tickets visit: www.crescentarts.org

(BMcC/GK)