'The Burned Man' - A darkly comic new play by Tipperary playwright Patrick Fogarty

Theatre-goers in Tipperary are in for a chilling and darkly comic experience this February with the arrival of a fresh new play entitled The Burned Man, the latest creation from Fomóire Productions, written and directed by Moneygall playwright Patrick Fogarty (28).

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Set deep in the Galtee Mountains, in a cabin lit only by the flicker of firelight, the play opens on a man whose face is a map of suffering.

Elijah Bright, the titular Burned Man, has captured two strangers, and as snow piles against the walls, the evening becomes a slow unravelling of confession, absurdity, and revelation.

Elijah seeks vengeance for the fire that claimed his wife, yet the story refuses the comfort of simple morality. Victim and villain exchange roles with every flicker of flame, leaving the audience suspended between horror and dark amusement.

There is, in Fogarty’s play, a clear debt to Samuel Beckett, particularly the stripped intimacy of his one man play, Krapp’s Last Tape. Recorded voice messages, echoes of a past life tender and lost, haunt the cabin like spectral witnesses.

The play promisses to a fusion of black humour and raw tragedy, exploring the frailty of love and the madness of memory.
This week the Tipperary Star sat down with Patrick Fogarty to discuss the inner workings of his new play.

The Burned Man, he explained, is the first production from his company, Fomóire Productions, which he co-founded with his long-time creative collaborator Daniel Murray, from Tullamore.

The play features Daniel Murray as Elijah Bright, Claire Lemass as Morrigan, Sean Doyle as Conroy, and Ciara O’Meara as Bella, the voice of Elijah’s late wife.

Patrick Fogarty said of his cast, “Daniel Murray takes the lead, and he is a remarkably talented and committed actor. I think audiences are really going to enjoy his performance.

Sean Doyle plays a very comic role, and he brings such charm and energy that people will naturally gravitate towards him. And then there is Claire Lemass as Morrigan.

She has the most demanding role, yet she brings incredible depth and opens the character up in ways I hadn’t anticipated, which is always humbling as a writer. I’m very proud of the cast and the chemistry they share on stage.”

Patrick Fogarty spoke warmly about the support he has received from The Source. “I became friends with Brendan Maher, the artistic director, and he has been brilliant.

He has given me the chance to put on the work and has provided us with this incredible opportunity. I can’t speak highly enough of him and his team for platforming us in this way.

I’m very grateful to them. The Source does fantastic work, and they are taking a chance on a new play. When someone does that for you, you want to repay the faith, so we are determined to make sure audiences enjoy the play and get the most out of it.”

Patrick reflected on his collaboration with Daniel Murray. “We have worked on many plays together and collaborated on short films, but this is our first foray into professional theatre with Fomóire Productions.”

When asked about the storytelling device and the use of recorded messages, Patrick explains, “The voice messages give the audience a moment to step back from the intensity of the action. There are scenes of violence, and these recordings offer a pause, a space where you are simply listening.

They allow the narrative to unfold gradually. Through these messages, we learn small but crucial things about Elijah Bright, each one building quietly towards the play’s conclusion.”

On what he has learned from producing, writing, and directing this play, Patrick states, “As a process it is a struggle, but I love it. Finding places to rehearse is difficult, and Daniel and I are funding it ourselves... The play also takes on a life of its own with the actors, and you have to learn to let that happen as a writer. You put your ego aside and allow it to grow beyond your control.”

Tipperary audiences can see The Burned Man at The Source Arts Centre in Thurles on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 February at 8 p.m.

Tickets are €18, including fees, and can be reserved via The Source website. Don’t miss this darkly comic new play by local playwright Patrick Fogarty. 

Link to purchase tickets - LINK

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