Catalpa

Presented by Benbo Productions
Written and performed by Donal O’Kelly
Live music by Trevor Knight
A classic of modern Irish theatre, Catalpa is the story of the daring 1875 whaleship rescue of six Irish prisoners from Fremantle penal colony in Australia - all in the vibrant imagination of a screenwriter, the best movie never made! Catalpa is about heroes and visionaries, political intrigue and personal loyalty, with hot romance, mixed-up rebels and battles at sea. A subversive epic, a celebration of the power of live theatre “lyrical and passionate, satirical and very funny” (Irish Times).
Since its premiere 20 years ago, Catalpa has toured the world to high acclaim, including New York, Chicago, Paris, Helsinki and Harare.