Productions
THE SIGN OF THE WHALE

Written by Jimmy McAleavey
Directed by Michael Duke
Set & Lighting Design by Ciaran Bagnall
Costume Design by Diana Ennis
Tinderbox presents a new pitch black comedy by Jimmy McAleavey.
Belfast 1977. Dermy, a headline writer neurotically compelled to remember every victim of violence, is on the brink of a breakdown. Tony, a Belfast teenager, is meanwhile on the brink of life amid a conflict that might never end.
Into their world of violent stalemate sails something preposterous, absurd and magical. A killer whale is seen in Belfast Lough. Has it come to be butchered itself, bring luck or bring further disaster to the city?
When the whale suddenly disappears, tragic circumstances bring Dermy and Tony together in a search to find it. Maimed by experience, their search becomes much more than for a hunt for the whale.
It’s their search for a future.
Reviews for Sign of The Whale
“One of the best plays to emerge from our fertile little corner of the theatre world” – Culture Northern Ireland
“Played to perfection by Miche Doherty” – Belfast Telegraph, City Edition
“Flashes of theatrical brilliance in this play of ideas” – Irish Times
“A spectacle as powerful and profound as theatre can be” – Culture Northern Ireland
“The cast, led by a mesmeric Miche Doherty as Dermy, are excellent. Michael Condron is also deserving of special mention for laying on a virtuoso bumper pack of diffuse supporting characters, both real and imagined and including one Whistlin’ Ian Paisley (to give him his authentic blues name)” – Culture Northern Ireland
Test Drive the Arts NI
In connection with the Audiences NI project ‘Test Drive the Arts NI’ click on the following link to see if you can apply for 2 guest tickets to Tinderbox’s The Sign of the Whale.
Test Drive the Arts NI
Belfast Performances
12th – 20th March at 8.00pm
No performances on 14th and 17th March
18th & 20th March at 3.00pm
The Baby Grand, Grand Opera House, Belfast
Box Office: 028 9024 1919
Book online: www.goh.co.uk
Tour Performances
Tue 23rd March at 8.00pm
Garage Theatre, Monaghan
Box Office: 00353 47 81597
Thu 25th March at 8.00pm
An Tain Theatre, Dundalk
Box Office: 00353 42 9392919
Book online: www.antaintheatre.com
Fri 26th March at 8.00pm
Riverside Theatre, Coleraine
Box Office: 028 7032 3232
Book online: www.riversidetheatre.org.uk
Sat 27th March at 8.00pm
CRAIC Theatre, Coalisland
Box Office: 028 8774 1100
Suitable for ages 14 and over