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Martin Lynch

MARTIN LYNCH

  
Nationality:    Irish
email:    Click here to contact     Website:    Click here

Literary Agent:    n/a

Martin Lynch, was born in the docks area of Belfast. In the 1970s he served his writing apprenticeship with The Fellowship Community Theatre at Turf Lodge. Martin has worked at all the leading theatres in Ireland. His hit plays include The Interrogation Of Ambrose Fogarty and Chronicles Of Long Kesh. He has written extensively for BBC & RTE radio drama, recently winning Best Radio play at RTE for his adaptation of Ibsens Enemy Of The People. His recent stage plays include, The History Of The Troubles (accordin to my Da) co-written with Grimes & McKee and Holding Hands At Paschendale. Martin co-wrote the Sam Goldwyn movie, A Prayer For The Dying starring Mickey Rourke and Liam Neeson.

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below is a list of Martin Lynch's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

         Castles In the Air         Chronicles Of Long Kesh         Come to Where I am From         Dancing Shoes: the George Best Story         Dockers         History Of the Troubles, The (Accordin' To My Da)         Holding Hands At Paschendale         Interrogation Of Ambrose Fogarty, The         Lay Up Your Ends         Main Hall         Minstrel Boys         Oul Delf & False Teeth         Over the Bridge         Pictures Of Tomorrow         Rinty         Stone Chair, The         Titanic Boys, The         Wedding Community Play, The         Welcome To Bladonmore Road         What Did I Know When I Was Nineteen?

Castles In the Air

Castles In the Air
Mary Fullerton's drunken husband has deserted her. She lives in a high rise subsisting on Valium and lager. Her son spends most of his time joyriding. Her daughter must decide whether to sacrifice her future and stay and look after them

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Lyric Theatre

1st Published:
Contained in: "The Interrogation of Ambrose Fogarty and Castles in the Air" published by Lagan Press 2003   978-1873687699

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  3            Other:  doubling

Further Reference:
-

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Chronicles Of Long Kesh

Chronicles Of Long Kesh
Set in Long Kesh, the fog-shrouded Long Meadow of the title which evolved from RaF base to insurgents' prison, it borrows Smokey Robinson's Motown anthems to replace Broadway's tinsels and musical hall's plangent chauvinisms as the show's leitmotif. Sung powerfully by Marty Maguire's Oscar, a Republican whose seemingly boundless charisma will be dulled to dust by the dying of the hunger strikers, the melodies' emotive punch deflects, temporarily, any audience questions as to whether they really should be laughing with, or even at, the plight of mass murderers.
- Ian Hill, British theatre Guide

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
the Studio, Belfast's Waterfront Hall    2009

Organisations:
Green Shoot Productions

1st Published:
Oberon Books, London >>>, 2006   978-1849430005

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Come to Where I am From

Synopsis:
Sixty one playwrights from across the UK return to their home towns to write plays about the places that shaped them. At 14 theatres from Bristol to Belfast, Cardiff to Coventry and Nottingham to Newcastle, these plays will be performed by the playwrights themselves, coming home to tell their tale. Come To Where I'm From is a theatrical tapestry of the UK, woven by writers asking if home is really where the heart is.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Ransom Productions at the ISLAND Arts Centre, Lisburn, Antrim    26 Jun 2010

Organisations:
Paines Plough

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
short play

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Dancing Shoes: the George Best Story

Synopsis:
about the life of football legend George Best

Notes:
written by Martin Lynch And Marie Jones with music And lyrics by Scottish singer-songwriter JJ Gilmour And Pat Gribben, A former member of Belfast pop group the Adventures.

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Original cast recording: www.dancingshoes.biz/Shop.php

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Dockers

Dockers
An idealistic young trade unionist tries to reform things. He meets opposition from older members who do not want to see change and from reactionary members. He is branded a Communist troublemaker

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Lyric Theatre

1st Published:
in Three Plays by Martin Lynch, Langan Press, Belfast, Ireland, 1995   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  10            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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History Of the Troubles, The (Accordin' To My Da)

History Of the Troubles, The (Accordin' To My Da)
The Troubles and how they affected one ordinary man

Notes:
written by Martin Lynch, Conor Grimes And Alan McKee

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Mac Productions

1st Published:
Lagan Press 2005   978-1904652205

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  -            Other:  doubling

Further Reference:
-

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Holding Hands At Paschendale

Synopsis:
Holding Hands at Paschendale takes us back to the killing flields of World War One, where the bravest of men crumbled before the scenes of horror around them. Cockney MO COUTTS and his brother Charlie fought side by side for two years. after Charlie's death, MO's nerve fails him - an unforgivable crime. Owing to this cowardice' in the heat of battle, he finds himself handcuffed to a dour, tough talking Belfast squaddie: WILLIe HaRVeY. the two men are forced to spend four unremitting days and nights, shackled together until the impending court martial. each is confronted with the other's tragic predicament.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Interrogation Of Ambrose Fogarty, The

Interrogation Of Ambrose Fogarty, The
Ambrose Fogarty is arrested for armed robbery. The police try to force him to sign a confession but he refuses

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Lyric Theatre

1st Published:
in Three Plays by Martin Lynch, Langan Press, Belfast, Ireland, 1995   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Lay Up Your Ends

Lay Up Your Ends
The mill girls go out on strike when their hours and wages are cut. The strike leader Belle Thompson becomes involved with James Connelly

Notes:
Written with members of The Charabanc Theatre Group

1st Produced:
Arts Theatre, Belfast    15 May 1983

Organisations:
Charabanc Theatre Company

1st Published:
Lagan Press   978-1904652496

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
http://www.irishplayography.com/play.aspx?playid=498

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Main Hall

Synopsis:
"Justice" from seven different Northern Ireland writers

Notes:
Convictions comprises seven short plays by seven different writers. the seven plays were: Male Toilets by Daragh Carville, Judge's Room by Damian Gorman, Court No. 2 by Marie Jones, Main Hall by Martin Lynch, Court No. 1 by Owen McCafferty, Jury Room by Nicola McCartney And Holding Cell by Gary Mitchell.

1st Produced:
a site-specific work at Crumlin Road, Courthouse, Belfast.    30 Oct 2000

Organisations:

1st Published:
Tinderbox, Belfast, 2000   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Series of short individual plays

Parts:
Male:  10            Female:  6            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Minstrel Boys

Synopsis:
The year of the Hunger Strikes in H-Block Belfast. Two neighbouring families. The son of the Moores is a promising footballer but is shot dead by British soldiers. The son of the Marcellas is in Long Kesh and has been selected to be the next hunger striker

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Lyric Theatre

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Oul Delf & False Teeth

Synopsis:
The run up to the 1949 Stormont elections - the lives of stall holders in Belfast market

Notes:
written by Marie Jones. Written with the company, in association with Pam Brighton and Martin Lynch

1st Produced:
Arts Theatre, Belfast    26 Feb 1984

Organisations:
Charabanc Theatre Company

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Drama

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
http://www.irishplayography.com/play.aspx?playid=499

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Over the Bridge

Synopsis:
a denunciation of sectarianism amongst a flurry of working men midst ropes, gantries and the hum of industry

Notes:
adapted from play by Sam Thompson

1st Produced:
Waterfront Studio, Belfast    Mar 2010

Organisations:
Green Shoot Productions

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
adaptation

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Pictures Of Tomorrow

Pictures Of Tomorrow
Ray has had a stroke and suffers with Alzheimer's. He is going into sheltered accommodation. The night before his move he invites two old friends round. They all fought together in the Spanish Civil War

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Point Fields Theatre Company and Lyric Theatre

1st Published:
in Three Plays by Martin Lynch, Langan Press, Belfast, Ireland, 1995   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  2            Other:  doubling possible

Further Reference:
-

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Rinty

Rinty
The life of Rinty Monaghan Belfast's World Flyweight boxing champion

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Group Theatre, Belfast, Ireland    1990

Organisations:
Point Fields Theatre Company

1st Published:
Contained in: "Pictures of Tomorrow and Rinty" published by Lagan Press 2003   978-1873687741

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  5            Other:  doubling possible

Further Reference:
-

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Stone Chair, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    1979

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Community Play

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Titanic Boys, The

Synopsis:
Four young apprentices working for Harland and Wolff are picked to go on the maiden voyage of "Titanic"

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Grand Opera House, Belfast    08 Aug 2012

Organisations:
Martin Lynch Productions

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Wedding Community Play, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Various    1999

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Welcome To Bladonmore Road

Welcome To Bladonmore Road
The McFaddens rise up the social ladder

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Contained in: "Dockers and Welcome To Bladonmore Road" published by Lagan Press 2003   978-1873687642

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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What Did I Know When I Was Nineteen?

What Did I Know When I Was Nineteen?
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
in Three Plays by Martin Lynch, Langan Press, Belfast, Ireland, 1995   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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