FORGET THE Six Nations or the Rugby World Cup, the biggest rugby event of 2015 is coming to Moycullen, in Joe Prop, a play about a schoolboy whose life revolves around the sport.
Written by Gemma Doorly, and starring Fair City’s Maclean Burke, Joe Prop is about 12-year-old Joe Kavanagh. Medication for a childhood illness has left him overweight and a target for bullies, but he finds solace being a prop on the school rugby team. He also has big dreams. When alone in his room he imagines becoming the greatest Tight Head Prop in rugby history and captain of a World Cup winning Irish team. The play features voice-over cameos from a host of rugby personalities including Ryle Nugent, George Hook, and Brent Pope.
“Joe Prop is the ultimate underdog story about a little boy’s determination to beat the odds,” says Gemma Doorly. “I was inspired to write the play by the experience of a friend of mine who was bullied as a child but found solace in rugby. This is definitely a show for the kid in everybody – young and old.”
Maclean Burke said: “The comedy, the tragedy, and uplifting power that is Joe’s ability to overcome any obstacle is heart-warming and draws you in and never lets go. I’m a big kid at heart and who doesn’t want to captain Ireland to a rugby World Cup?”
Joe Prop will be upstairs in The Forge, Moycullen, on Saturday March 7. Tickets are €15 through 091 - 868944. Ten per cent of all ticket sales will be donated to Barnardos to help fund its work with vulnerable children and families.
