Bilingual children’s story set for broadcast
A WEXFORD writer’s bilingual children’s story has been chosen to be broadcast online this Friday, June 26. Alison Martin was commissioned by Super Paua Theatre Company to write her Gaeilge/English story ‘Fiachra and the Biscuit Tin Garden’ following an open call for proposals at the start of the Covid-19 crisis.
The story centres on a young boy called Fiachra who is determined to help his grandmother realise a long-held ambition to take home the Best Garden in a Biscuit Tin Competition at the ‘Bailenabrioscaí Agricultural Show’.
Super Paua hinted at what listeners can look forward to by releasing an excerpt of the story: ‘ The next few weeks would be a crucial time in Nan and Fiachra’s preparations. It was Nan’s dream to take home the gold prize and only one thing stood in her way – Petronella Hastings; bean ard a bhí i gcónaí ag cruthú rí rá agus ruaille buaille. Bhuaigh sí an comórtas anuraidh agus an bhliain roimhe sin. Agus deirtear go slíbhín ceart í.’
The story is partly inspired by Martin’s time working for People Newspapers where she used to compile the results of the Agricultural Shows during the summer.
She said: ‘I hope Fiachra and Nan’s story resonates with listeners. Tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh sult as! It is a fun and lively piece with lots of heart.’
Martin will be hearing the production for the first time, with the rest of the audience, this Friday. The writer lives in Wexford Town with her young family.
The story is directed by Mark Ball and performed by Graeme Coughlan, with sound design and composition by Lara Gallagher.
The full Super Paua Stories series is available from superpaua.podbean.com and Spotify, among others.
Other writers include Wren Dennehy and Berni Stack. Established in 2013, Super Paua is led by Sian Ní Mhuirí, Heather Rose and Mark Ball.