Long Kesh story opening at Everyman

The hilarious, painful and shocking story of Northern Ireland’s infamous prison, Long Kesh, also known as the Maze, is told at Liverpool’s Everyman next week.

Playwright Martin Lynch interviewed prison staff, welfare workers and over 30 ex-inmates to gain in insight into one of the darkest periods of Northern Irish history.

Chronicles of Long Kesh is told through the eyes of prison officers, republicans and loyalists, a rich assortment of patriots, chancers, leaders, wives, escapers and hypochondriacs.

Lynch said: “I think the play articulates everybody’s point of view but essentially the plays not about politics. I tell the human story – the men’s stories in Long Kesh.”

Billy Clarke (Hunger, Mo BBC Four) heads an ensemble cast that includes Chris Corrigan (Omagh), Jo Donnelly, Marty Maguire, Marc O’Shea and Andy Moore, all of whom play multiple roles on both sides of the divide.

Chronicles of Long Kesh premièred in Belfast in January 2009 with a sold-out run and standing ovations every night. The play has toured throughout Northern Ireland and was a hit during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year.

Green Shoot Productions’ play opens at the Liverpool Everyman theatre on Tuesday 27 April and runs until Saturday 1 May.