A new play focusing on the rights of the LGBTQ+ community will come to the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh later this month.
Following on from the Co Tyrone town’s first ever Omagh Pride festival last year, ‘Callings’ tells the experiences of five gay/lesbian people growing up during the Troubles.
The play centres around how the people used Cara-Friend - a phoneline and befriending service set up in 1974 to support hidden LGBTQ+ communities.
Callings looks at the historical challenges faced by the local communities in Northern Ireland, and tells a series of personal stories with music from the time.
The performance, which comes to the Strule Arts Centre on 23 February, is put together by theatre company Kabosh.
The company’s artistic director, Paula McFetridge said it was an opportunity to re-examine queer history in the area.
“The stories of our local LGBTQ+ communities are filled with fierce resilience, struggle, and political oppression, yet there is much humanity, kindness, and solidarity to be celebrated.
“Callings gives us all the opportunity to re-examine our collective queer history, placing it loud and proud centre stage.”
Caoileann Curry-Thompson, Acting Head of Drama, Arts Council of Northern Ireland added: “This is a great opportunity for audiences across Northern Ireland to encounter the work of Dominic Montague.
“His is an exciting new voice in theatre, with important stories to tell. I’d encourage people to get out and see this powerful new work in February.”
