Written and performed by Donal O’Kelly.
Live music by Trevor Knight. 

A classic of modern Irish theatre, ‘Catalpa’ is the story of the daring 1875 whaleship rescue of six Irish prisoners from Fremantle penal colony in Australia - all in the vibrant imagination of a screenwriter, the best movie never made! 

‘Catalpa’ is about heroes and visionaries, political intrigue and personal loyalty, with hot romance, mixed-up rebels and battles at sea. A subversive epic, a celebration of the power of live theatre “lyrical and passionate, satirical and very funny” (Irish Times).

Since its première 20 years ago, ‘Catalpa’ has toured the world to high acclaim, including New York, Chicago, Paris, Helsinki and Harare.

Donal O’Kelly is an award-wining writer and one of the finest Irish actors of his generation. Trevor Knight was a founder member of ‘80s pop group ‘Auto Da Fe’ and has written scores for more than 50 theatrical works.