'To Have to Shoot Irishmen' play text by Lizzie Nunnery 2018
Could peace come after? After what? Who will we be?
Easter morning, 1916. Gunshots ring out in the Dublin streets. In her suburban sitting-room Hanna prepares for revolution. Frank walks through the crowds calling for peace, while John recalls the trenches and sees a city soaked in blood. Eighteen-year-old William fearfully reports to the barracks for duty, determined to serve the British army with honour.
Inspired by true events, this absorbing play weaves movement and folk song into a stirring tale of militarism, corruption and the power of rebellion.
The book contains programme details alongside the full script.
'Vibrant and shocking. A fine new play [with] countless stirring scenes… that boils over with the chaos of war. Nunnery wears her research lightly and expresses her ideas in tumbling poetry, lively dialogue and haunting song. Not a syllable or beat is wasted.' Guardian
Cover image by Andy Donovan