Theatre Preview: Turtle – The Barracks

Lily is marrying Aubrey, the first woman she ever fell for. But her alcoholic sister Polly gatecrashes the hen do days before the wedding. Stumbling through whiskey shots and secrets, why does Polly call her sister Turtle? Will Aubrey have the child she aches for? Will the past Lily left behind come back to shatter everything? 

Written and directed by James Johnson, PUNCHEDcanvas Theatre Company bring you Turtle – a tale of lesbians, animals, sex and violence not to be missed. Starring Adele Smyth-Kennedy, Clare McMahon & Nuala Davies, this blackly funny performance will premiere at Belfast’s The Barracks this May as part of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival.

PUNCHEDcanvas formed in 2013 to create controversial new works showcasing local actors. After a rehearsed reading of A Decent Woman at the Ulster Hall featuring Maggie Cronin, Mary-Frances Loughran and Vincent Higgins they produced their first full production at the MAC’s 2014 Pick n Mix Festival with The Pugilist featuring Louise Parker and Shaun Blaney, both directed by Emma Copland. The company are delighted to present their most provocative work yet in this all-female production.

About the cast and crew:

ADELE SMYTH-KENNEDY 

Adele Smyth-Kennedy is a Northern Irish-born actor based in Belfast and London. Her most recent screen credits include Stephen Frears’ Florence Foster Jenkins, starring Meryl Streep, appearing alongside Hugh Grant, and in Stefan Ruzowitzky’s Patient Zero, appearing with Stanley Tucci. Both films are scheduled for release this year. Adele also played the lead in Eileen Treacy’s Short Film, Four Walls, in 2015, and has worked as a Stand-In for Emilia Clarke on Game of Thrones for the past two years. Theatre credits include Crave, at the Crescent Arts Centre, and This Is Our Youth at the Brian Friel Theatre, Belfast. Her training took place at Belfast Metropolitan College and at Queen’s University. Adele is represented by Phillip Young at Independent Agency, Belfast. Turtle is her first show with PUNCHEDcanvas. TURTLE press release PUNCHEDcanvas Theatre Company

CLARE McMAHON 

Clare McMahon trained at Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. She made her West End debut in The Cripple of Inishmaan, played Hermia in the Almeida, and last year played Kitty in Unhome by outstanding local playwright Jimmy McAleavey. Clare loves new writing and is delighted to be premiering Turtle. She lives in Belfast and is represented by Independent Artists. Turtle is her first show for PUNCHEDcanvas.

NUALA DAVIES 

A recent graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, some of Nuala Davies previous theatre credits include The Jazzabelles (Nicholas Boyle), Lucy and The Dream Catcher (C21), Operation Blitzed (Big Telly), Dido and Aeneas (Queen’s University), Vernon God Little (Queen’s University), Belfast by Moonlight (Kabosh) alongside recently appearing in short film The Monday Club (Stay Beautiful Films) as part of the Belfast Film Festival. Having trained vocally Nuala has obtained grades with the London College of music in musical theatre performance as well as a grades in classical performance. You will also see her performing in the cabaret and burlesque scene in productions such as Pigeon and Plums and Tease-o-rama, as well as in her 1960s garage rock and roll band. Nuala produces her own acting showcase Clatter O’ Actors, facilitating space for upcoming actors into the professional industry in Belfast.

JAMES JOHNSON 

James studied at Queen’s University Belfast. His previous plays include Choking the Butterfly for Tinderbox, The Pugilist for PUNCHEDcanvas, After the Bell Jar for Green Room and The Audition for Bakehouse Theatre. His work has featured at the Los Angeles, Edinburgh Fringe and The MAC’s Pick ‘n’ Mix Festivals. James’ work has been nominated for BBC/Stewart Parker and Nanette Lovell Awards and has been performed in Nigeria, Australia, Kosovo, Malta, New York, Greece, Bulgaria and throughout the UK and Ireland. His play Choking the Butterfly will make its Canadian Premiere at the Storefront Theatre in May. Turtle is his third script for PUNCHEDcanvas. Other work includes a short adaptation of Gogol’s The Overcoat for The Bruiser/MAC Graduate Academy and the PUNCHEDcanvas short film Pretty Beasts which premieres at the Dublin Lighthouse Film Festival. Turtle is his directional debut for the company.

TURTLE will premiere at The Barracks, 8-10 Exchange Place as part of Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival and will run from Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th May at 5.30pm and 8pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at cqaf.com.