Writer/Director: Terry George
Written and directed by Academy Award winner, Terry George, The Tunnel is a captivating exploration of captivity. The fact that the production is based upon George’s own experiences of serving time in the storied Long Kesh prison camp, during the Troubles, makes this production even more powerful, authentic and compelling.
First performed in New York in 1986, (directed at that time, by Jim Sheridan), George’s own Seamus Productions has collaborated with West Belfast’s Brassneck Theatre Company to bring the Irish premiere of The Tunnel, to the Lyric stage, as part of Féile an Phobail, one of Ireland’s largest community festivals.
Opening with pervading, percussive, rhythmic, bodhrán beats, the audience are immediately drawn in to the claustrophobic world of cage number five, where the ensuing action unfolds, entirely. The clever, static set design, fast-tracks viewers into the intimate world of the inmates, as colourful iconography of Che Guevara, Cú Chulainn and Gráinne Mhaol offset the dull, oppressive, penitentiary shades of grey.
its 1976 and he arrival of Joe, a new prisoner, into the Republican hut at Long Kesh is the catalyst for the story and one, by one, the cast members are introduced. Through specific references and subtle inferences, a sense of their backgrounds, ideologies, positions, situations and circumstances can be pieced together.
Although there are nods to staples of the prison genre, like moonshine making and gruel fuel, it traverses into a territory that goes way beyond predictable penitentiary fayre. In the second act, in particular, the atmosphere is foreboding and even oppressive at times, which succeeds in creating a palpable sense of tension and an anticipation that there may not be light at the end of the tunnel.
George’s writing is exceptional throughout and the knowledge that this play is based upon his own, lived experiences, rather than being buoyed by perceptions, propels it even further, as it’s wholly genuine and entirely believable. Every exchange and each piece of dialogue counts, succeeding in providing a vital nugget of information, a backstory, or a rationale, a glimpse at an outside world left behind, or an inner turmoil that can’t be escaped.
Brassneck has succeeded in assembling a phenomenal cast of felons for this production, who have a genuine chemistry and support and complement each other superbly. Martin McCann, reverses roles, from on screen ‘peeler’ (in BBC’s Blue Lights), to on stage prisoner and delivers a commanding performance. Ciarán Nolan excels in providing comedic relief and links up well with the versatile Vincent Higgins in particular, both actors succeeding in striking a perfect balance between humour and pathos.
The top-dog, always a staple in penitentiary exposés, is expertly portrayed by Chris Corrigan and the reckless, rebel with a cause role, is conveyed with vigour, by Andy Doherty, whilst the raw rookie is embodied terrifically by Oisín Thompson. Although the seventh cast member, Cillian Lenaghan has the least time on stage, his role is a pivotal one, which is played with great poignancy.
Costume design is an extremely important and nuanced element of this show, particularly given the political backdrop it’s set against. There are no prison uniforms in the cage and therefore, the clothes worn by the characters become multi-faceted and act as both a reflection of their individual personalities and a symbol of their status as political prisoners.
A merited standing ovation greeted the cast at the end of the show and it was evident that the rapturous reception meant a significant amount to the actors. This is a production that will undoubtedly stick with the cast, crew and audiences long beyond the curtain fall. The Tunnel is the type of play that has the power to provoke conversations, ignite curiosities and encourage investigation into the past, as a means of informing the present and shaping the future.
A show that you definitely won’t want to escape from.
Runs until 16 August 2025
