James King, Eamonn and Friends

Drama in Ballymote

This has been another busy performance spell. On Wednesday myself, John and Kieran from the Letterkenny MS (Multiple Sclerosis) drama group did a performance in Ballymote,Co. Sligo for an MS information day.

We were performing a sketch and a spontaneous dramatic conversation, summarising the contributions of the other speakers We would do this by John and I discussing side issues and observations of the speaker's presentations whilst Kieran would draw the conversation back to key, central questions. (eg. the representative from the Carer's Association had mentioned fishing for more men carer's to join the association. John and I discussed her excellent posture: the way she stood so straight, firm and steady whilst we talking. We put this down to all her experience as an expert angler, and discussed the merits of different approaches to this sporting skill. Kieran called us back to the message of carer's support.)

Our sketch was about the poor quality of access at the new Donegal council offices. On the way past Donegal town it was great to have the opportunity to visit the building and see the faults first-hand. The entrance to the "disabled" lift and toilets were clearly too narrow for an electric wheelchair. This was the theme of our drama. On our way to Sligo we practiced spontaneous performance conversations, involving picking up on potential puns and free associating from key words. Entering the town of Ballymote, John, fully alert and observant said "Look at that shop, they're crying, I wonder what they are so unhappy about." And there sure enough was a shop going by the name of Cryans! " And what about that one across the road, they think its all a big joke". Across the road was another shop. The name on the sign board this time was Laffin!

Anti-war anti-Bush protest in Dublin

On Friday we went on the protest bus to Dublin, to welcome President Mr. Bush. I coated my copious forehead with red paint and carried a sign saying "NO BLOODY BUSH". By the time we reached Dublin Diana, Fran and Gill had similarly blooded up, helping to strengthen the image.

Right to walk our traditional Saturday route through the Richmond Centre

On Saturday I was dressed in my dark grey suit and with a black hat resembling a bowler. The plan was to depict cabinet minister Mr. Spellar in a street protest about the Anti Social Behviour Order legislation. I was going to give a spoof speech whilst groups of children silently observered wearing "Silenced" T shirts and red tape gags. Eamonn would heckle in the role of concerned citizen. In the event this was called off due to bad weather threatening. As it turned out the weather brightened up. As I was already dressed up, Eamonn had another idea. He was critical of the handling of the Orange marching situation in North Belfast.

We bought a large sheet of orange paper and made an orange collarette out of it. This and Eamonn's umberella was sufficient to simulate an Orangeman. We decided that I would walk our customary (traditional) Saturday route through the town. If anyone was standing in my way or blocking it by walking across I would stand in protest until the way was clear. We proceeded uneventfully up Shipquay Street (except for the occasional, familiar, male-youthful comment regarding my sanity).

I walked through the downstairs level of the Richmond Centre, Eamonn in discreet support. A few yards beyond the exit door, on the path to the Millenium Theatre and Foyleside Shopping Centre a young man was standing, handing out leaflets, advertising an event at the Nucleus. He was blocking my way. I refused to walk around him and stood before him, asking him to move. He handed me a leaflet. I spieled about my right to walk the streets along my traditional Saturday route. John Doh'Leafleter remained impassive. He was a lightly built young fella with determinedly calm presence - suiting our purpose perfectly. Eamonn threw in occasional suggestions for compromise. Both of us refused to budge. Soon a crowd gathered, including appreciative SWP (Socialist Worker's Party) members. The crowd grew. A security man from the Richmond Centre came out to ask us to move. We both refused. I speechified some more, talking of my civil rights; my antagonist said that I wasn't there last Saturday refuting my insistence on the route being my traditional one. The security man returned. He threatened us with the police. I welcomed this development, saying that the police would be sure to support me. About a hundred people circled us. I suggested putting it to a vote of the gathered local community population. Eventually John Doh'Leafleter agreed. The vote was vastly in his favour. I retreated in disgust.

This was a satisfying experience. We felt that it had graphically illustrated the sad absurdity of the "marching season" here - although not totally accurate. The marchers wouldn't appeal to the democratic wishes of the local residents. And it is in any case the Parades Commission who would decide. If the police HAD arrived, the total ahsurdity would have been complete.

What worked for me was keeping to the role of myself wanting to walk my usual Saturday journey - rather than thinking too much about the role of Orangeman. There was some reality in this. I wasn't ACTING the part of Orangeman. I was being myself, albeit dressed in an unusual way, insisting upon my rights as a citizen /pedestrian. The following speeech combines what I DID say with what I would, upon reflection, like to have said.

"I have the right to walk along this pathway. This is my traditional Saturday route. I come through here every week. You have no right to block my way. Please move and let me past. I have the democradc right to walk this public highway. l am standing here in protest till you move. I am standing here on behalf of all people everywhere whose freedom of movement is restricted. Down with all borders say I. Give aecess to immigrants and refufgees. I demand that you respect my traditions - in the name of democracy. My uncles fought in the second world war to maintain democracy. My blind grandfather defended Portsmouth docks in the Home Guard. And for what? So that a young fellow like yourself can stand boldly in the middle of this highway in defiance of my civil rights and freedoms. Yes bring on tbe PSNI, Richmond man, I have nothing to fear from them.

And anyway what is this leaflet you are handing out? Advertising some capitalistic consumerised venture no doubt. What is this? Let me read: REVOLUTION! There what did I say. Revolution! What about good citizenship and democracy? What about freedom to travel? Reclaim the streets say l. 'Revolution, featuring DJ Gabriel - Fusion- @ Nerve Centre, Wednesday 30th Jone.'

Well if I have to stay bere till June 30th I certainly will. I'll stay here till 30th June next year, or the year after, or after that, or after a rat or a mouse or even a hedgehog - whatever vermin are around, here I will remain till I have my democratic civil rights and liberties. Viva liberty, equality and eternity. Freedom forever say I. Whats this? ' STRICTLY NO ALCOHOL - 14 - 18 yrs. Admission £4.00.' I agree witb the 'no alcohol' - but what about tbe age limit. Discrimination again.

What sort of revolution is that that has an age limit put on it. Stuff YOUR revolution. I'll stick to my own.