Selected plays

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Rita McGrinder is Still Here, Omnibus Theatre

One woman’s dark, funny story that runs from tragedy to comedy to a kind of redemption, encompassing sex, nuns, hypocrisy, terrorism, Daniel O’Donnell, showbands, dying priests, Jedward, and strap-ons.  

★★★★ – breakingthefourthwall ; "A masterpiece in the making" - The Morning Star"
….brilliant writing…beautifully observed…McGrinder is played superbly by Mary O’Sullivan, so well in fact that it is hard to register that this is not actually O’Sullivan’s tale…" – thereviewshub

 

Traitors, Cads & Cowards, Bread and Rises, Lion and Unicorn, Wandsworth Prison                                                 An Irish Rebel, an army deserter and a conscientious objector walk into a gaol cell... World War One drama set in a cell on the military wing of Wandsworth Prison, 1916

"A stark, powerful performance that will linger with you long after you leave the theatre" ★★★★ carnstheatrepassion ; "A moving exploration of the effects of war and oppression" ★★★★ pubtheatres1

 

Mosley Must Fall, Bread and Roses, Lion and Unicorn, JW3 (adapted for Radio 4 drama) 

A poor Irish family struggle to survive the crowded Irish and Jewish ghettoes of London’s East End of the 1930s. Around them is growing discontent and agitation caused by Oswald Mosley and his British Union of Fascists.  "McNAMARA’S Mosley Must Fall is a gem,,, a warning from history today" ★★★★ Morning Star“The makings of a classic play. Kudos to McNamara for another solid and moving production that will stay with me for a long time.” – View From The Cheap Seats

IED, N16 Theatre

Captain Agnes Bennett is an Army Notification Officer, informing the family of the death of their soldier son or husband. She tries to do the job efficiently but at what cost to herself?

"Powerfully realistic drama" - Morning Star  "Jordan Fyffe's monologue as Iain is one of the strongest performances I have ever seen - viewfromthecheapseats  ; "Safron Beck's remarkable performance... McNamara has created a memorable character in Agnes Bennett," – trafficlighttheatregoer ;  "superb performances, multi-layered and thoughtful" ★★★★ pubtheatre1 “thoroughly genuine and well-crafted” ★★★★-spyinthestalls ;   "Aside from Lyon’s direction and McNamara’s writing, a large part of the play’s success can be attributed to Beck, I can’t imagine anyone else pulling off the role of (Agnes) Bennett so deftly - ★★★★- breakingthefourthwall

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Your Ever Loving, N16 Theatre, London, Irish Cultural Centre, London, Underbelly Cowgate, Edinburgh

The story of Paul Hill, one of the Guildford Four wrongly improisoned for the 15 years for crims they did not commit. The play draws heavily on the ltters Paul wrote to his family dyring his incarceration. 

"Even if you don’t consider yourself a 'political' person, Your Ever Loving MUST be seen for the sheer force of theatre and humanity it embodies" GGG ★★★★★ "A passionate outburst against injustice" Morning Star  "thoughtful, compelling piece of theatre... rush off and see this fine polemical play" trafficlighttheatregoer; "Very powerful and thought-provoking... uncomfortable viewing but utterly compelling”  **** London Theatre1 "Your Ever Loving was completely brutal. I loved every moment of it" Northern Echo  "Stefan McCusker's performance shines in a promising play about injustice" The Stage ★★★★★ Basic Theatre Review   ★★★★ London Box Office  ★★★★ CarnsTheatrePassion   ★★★★ Everything Theatre   ★★★★ LondonPubTheatres ★★★★ breakingtheforthwall ★★★★ The List