The Plays of Lois Achimovich

Eugene & Carlotta | John Boyle O'Reilly | Sukarno | Meekatharra | Red Silk

John Boyle O'Reilly (1989)

John Boyle O'Reilly

Lois Achimovich's fourth play had its premiere 9 November 1989 in a shed on Victoria Quay, Fremantle, Western Australia. Still from a videotape recording of the performance.
Cast and crew of the first production of John Boyle O'Reilly:

CAST
John Boyle O'ReillyAdrian Mulraney
Father McCabe, Breslin, Lionel SamsonMaurie Ogden
Jessie Woodman, Mrs Samson, Mrs O'Reilly, Eileen O'Leary, JeanRosemarie Lenzo
Governor of Westem Australia, Captain AnthonyLee Buddle
Guard, Mr Woodman, DevoyJohn Reed
Mrs Woodman, PearlKavisha Mazzella
MUSICIANS
Lee BuddleVocals, Flutes, Tin Whistles, Synthesiser, Concertina, Percussion
John ReedVocals, Cittern, Guitar, Harmonica, Tin Whistle
Kavisha MazzellaVocals, Accordion, Guitar, Percussion, Synthesiser
Rosemarie LenzoBodhran
Maurie OgdenVocals, Bones
PRODUCTION
WriterLois Achimovich
DirectorPhil Thomson
Assistant DirectorAnne-Marie Brady
DesignerTish Oldham (Phillips)
Musical DirectorLee Buddle
Production Manager/Set Construction/Lighting DesignAlan Surgener
VisualsMichael O'Rourke/Tish Oldham
Production Assistant/CostumesSandy McKendrick

Thanks to Gary Burke for the initial inspiration for this production and his continued support throughout.
Original music written and arranged by Lee Buddle, Kavisha Mazzella and John Reed.
Traditional songs and tunes researched by Lois Achimovich, Lee Buddle and John Reed.
Most of the poems used are adapted from the works of John Boyle O'Reilly. Short excerpts of poems from Yeats, Joyce, Lady Wilde and traditional sources have also been used.

A recording of the music from the play called It Was No Bad Choice was released by Kitchen Records Cooperative on cassette in 1991.


New: 29 August 1998 | Now: 8 May, 2021