SMURFIT SEX PLAY ANGERS OMAGH BOMB FAMILIES
EROTIC PLAY ANGERS OMAGH BOMB FAMILIES
By BRENDA O'NEILL
Steamy scenes insensitive' claim
FAMILIES of the Omagh bomb victims have hit out at a top Ulster playwright, who has based a erotic new stage production on the controversy surrounding the atrocity. Ballykissangel star Victoria Smurfit is set to take a lead role in 10 Rounds, which Fermanagh writer, Carlo Gebler, says was "inspired" by the Police Ombudsman's report into the 1998 bombing, which left 29 people dead.
Michael Gallagher, whose son, Adrian, was killed in the bombing, said he "couldn't understand how artists dream these things up".
He added: "It goes without saying that the subject matter is insensitive.
"Omagh was the worst single atrocity since the Second World War, apart from Lockerbie, which was an aviation atrocity.
"But, to try and transfer what happened at Omagh into a play - of course it's controversial."
The drama begins a month-long run at London's Tricycle Theatre, this week.
The steamy script features a string of sexual liaisons between terrorist volunteers, prostitutes and security handlers.
The play also features an erotic encounter between a republican spokeswoman and a government official.
Gebler says he read Nuala O'Loan's highly critical report into the RUC killed 29 people, and based the play on people rather than politics.
He said: "I wanted to write something with people - they're private and intimate, and sexual lives, with a bit of politics in the background.
"Most people looking at us suspect politics is right at the forefront of our consciousness - that other things are on the backburner.
"In fact, the relationship is just the other way. We are passionately interested in sexual intercourse, drinking, having fun, shopping - all those things!"
Gebler, the son of Irish novelist Edna O'Brien, is currently in rehearsal for the production, which has its opening night on Thursday.
By BRENDA O'NEILL
Steamy scenes insensitive' claim
FAMILIES of the Omagh bomb victims have hit out at a top Ulster playwright, who has based a erotic new stage production on the controversy surrounding the atrocity. Ballykissangel star Victoria Smurfit is set to take a lead role in 10 Rounds, which Fermanagh writer, Carlo Gebler, says was "inspired" by the Police Ombudsman's report into the 1998 bombing, which left 29 people dead.
Michael Gallagher, whose son, Adrian, was killed in the bombing, said he "couldn't understand how artists dream these things up".
He added: "It goes without saying that the subject matter is insensitive.
"Omagh was the worst single atrocity since the Second World War, apart from Lockerbie, which was an aviation atrocity.
"But, to try and transfer what happened at Omagh into a play - of course it's controversial."
The drama begins a month-long run at London's Tricycle Theatre, this week.
The steamy script features a string of sexual liaisons between terrorist volunteers, prostitutes and security handlers.
The play also features an erotic encounter between a republican spokeswoman and a government official.
Gebler says he read Nuala O'Loan's highly critical report into the RUC killed 29 people, and based the play on people rather than politics.
He said: "I wanted to write something with people - they're private and intimate, and sexual lives, with a bit of politics in the background.
"Most people looking at us suspect politics is right at the forefront of our consciousness - that other things are on the backburner.
"In fact, the relationship is just the other way. We are passionately interested in sexual intercourse, drinking, having fun, shopping - all those things!"
Gebler, the son of Irish novelist Edna O'Brien, is currently in rehearsal for the production, which has its opening night on Thursday.
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/137
Published Date: 15-Sep-02
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