No Ordinary Man: Telling Christy's story

Written by Belfast singer songwriter Brian Moore, Paddy on the Road explores the times and music of the much loved Christy Moore, charting his life from a bank clerk in Kildare, through his first forays into folk singing and performing in England to his return to Ireland. The playwright sets out to explore Moore's impact on the folk music scene and on political life in Ireland.

Put like that, it all seems very straightforward and almost predictable, but anyone who has any knowledge of Christy Moore will know that his is a life that has been far from predictable or straightforward.

The script is superb, especially given that this is the first time Brian Moore has written a play and under the direction of Pam Brighton the drama moves along at a great pace.

It is amazing just how much, musically and politically, is covered in this play. However the performance put in by Terry 'Cruncher' O'Neill is phenomenal. Cruncher has had minor roles in most of Dubbeljoint's productions over the years, but this was his first major part, and in a one-person show to boot. His performance can't be praised enough.

That this play was written is a sign of the respect people throughout the country have for Moore. That his impact on the political life of Ireland is being assessed while he is still alive is also an indication of the effect his performances and songs have had on the political life of the country.

The drama conveys that Moore is driven by his desire to see justice done and wrongs righted. It also showed the breadth of his political willingness to support campaigns against injustice throughout the world.

One of the songs sung during the play, Allende, was written in support of the people of El Salvador who were struggling against a corrupt and murderous regime that was backed financially and politically by the US.

It will, no doubt, be for his support of the H Block prisoners that Moore will most affectionately be remembered by republicans. While dealing with this period of our recent history, the script was woven with anecdotes recounting the contacts Moore had with H Block prisoners, notably Bik McFarlane. This added an authentic and very personal touch.

Another H Block prisoner who developed a very close friendship with Christy Moore is Colm Scullion from Bellaghy, County Derry. Scullion supplied Bobby Sands with the local information he used in penning the song McElhatton; the famous South Antrim poitín maker. As we all know, Christy sings the song with great relish.

Scullion saw Paddy on the Road in Bellaghy last weekend and was impressed. He said he had spoken with Moore about the play. "Before I tell you about the play I want to thank you, Christy," he said. "I want to thank you for all you done for us".

Scullion was expressing the sentiments of the prisoners in the H Blocks and Armagh, but that thanks could also include all the people of Ireland on whose behalf Moore gave so much.

The play encapsulates that sense of struggle and the doubts and internal conflicts that it threw up for Moore and it's all the richer for those insights.

BY PEADAR WHELAN


Paddy on the Road tour



Thursday 2 May - Cullyhanna, Armagh - 30863 0320

Friday 3 May - St Matthews Hall, Short Strand - 028 9050 1700

Saturday 4 May - The Dairy Farm, Twinbrook - 028 9060 4004

Sunday 5 May - New Lodge, Belfast - 028 9074 2255

Wednesday 8 May - The Bullion Room, The Hackney Empire - London

Thursday 9 May to Sunday 12 May - The Bullion Room, The Hackney Empire - London

Sunday 19 May - St John's Art Centre, Listowel - 00353 6822566

Saturday 25/Sunday 26 May - The Pavillion, Dún Laoghaire - 012312929

Tuesday 28 /Wednesday 29 May - Axis Ballymun Theatre, Dublin - 018832102

Thursday 30 May - Sliabh Dubh, Belfast - 028 9028 8660

Friday 31 May - Dunloy - Co. Antrim - 028 2765 7038