Jimmy C!

Synopsis

The life and death of the revolutionary figure James Connolly provides the story for this play. Rather than concentrate solely on the macro-politics of the Irish situation, the play looks at the personal, everyday life of 'Jimmy C' looking at his family, his relationships with those around him, his gradually failing health and his imprisonment.  Throughout the piece the somewhat problematic relationship between nationalism and socialism is explored-what is the point of fighting for Irish independence when a majority of the population would remain in extreme poverty regardless of whether British or Irish politicians were in charge? This is a difficulty that Connolly constantly attempted to draw attention to. Rising to prominence during the First World War, Connolly is particularly concerned with the way young Irish boys are called up to fight for Great Britain in the war; for him an independent Ireland would have to destroy traditional class divisions and inequalities.  This is a play which describes Irish politics and this unique figure of the twentieth century in a very human light.  Irish history has been of particular interest to Theatre Workshop with plays such as Portadown Blues (2000).