Fundraiser performance for Derry woman's debut play selected to feature at Dublin Theatre Festival
"I am so grateful for the love and support the play has received. It is beyond my wildest dreams"
Derry woman, Rosie Patton, has always been creative but discovered her passion for writing four years ago.
She wrote her first ever play, 'I Didn't See That Coming,' which made its stage debut last October at Derry's Studio 2.
After an incredible opening weekend, co-directed with Brian Hasson, Rosie's play will now be the only play from Derry to be featured at the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival in May this year.
Now, with the support of Greater Shantallow Community Arts and the community, tickets are available for a one night only fundraising performance at Studio 2 on Friday May 5.
Rosie said it is not easy for playwrights starting out with a lack of funding to the arts but said people have been extremely generous and supportive, "Everyone has been so good to me and I am so grateful for the opportunities I have received to get this play to the stage.
"I am an independent and not eligible for any funding or grants. Ollie Green has been phenomenal, he has given us rehearsal space, marketing and is allowing us to host a fundraising performance with all proceeds from the show going towards the play."
Rosie said she is eternally grateful to the support of not only Studio 2 but her family and partner whose support she says has been incredible and vital in getting the production to stage.She said everyone is delighted to have been invited to be part of this prestigious theatre festival and has been overwhelmed by the amazing support for the production to date.
Rosie continued: "We are delighted that our producers Greater Shantallow Community Arts have agreed to host our play again in Derry on the Friday 5th May at Studio 2 as a special fundraising event and we look forward to welcoming new audiences to enjoy some of Derrys finest actors bringing the stage to life for this one night only performance."
Rosie's play, 'I Didn't See That Coming,' is set during the 90s at the tail end of the troubles just before the Good Friday Agreement. Although the play is not about the peace agreement, Rosie says it is a factor.
Rosie continued: "The play is based on a woman in her early to mid-20s and she is a school teacher and she is struggling to come to terms with her sexuality.
"It plays out how her family reacts to the whole revelation. It covers mixed religion relationships, age divide, acceptance, stereotyping and incorrect judgements.
"It also focuses on the perception of gay people in the 90s and how that perception is still somewhat alive today.
"In the play there are a number of time lapse scenes post the Good Friday Agreement showing the audience how far we have come and how far we have yet to go."
Rosie said she can't wait to head down to Dublin and have the play performed outside of Derry to new audiences.
The festival, which will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary, is a celebration of love, diversity, and creativity that brings together some of the best LGBTQ+ theatre talents from around the world.
Set to take to the main stage, Rosie said she was not prepared to be selected but is so excited for the opportunity.
"We are all so excited, it will be such a good weekend. I am so grateful for the love and support the play has received. It is beyond my wildest dreams."
Tickets for the fundraising show are available via the link.
Tickets can also be purchased at the door on the night.
The festival is from May 1 to May 14 with Rosie's play featured from May 11 to May 13. The cast are set to perform four shows across the dates.