50th Anniversary Presentation of Volunteers by Brian Friel

VOLUNTEERS (1975) by BRIAN FRIEL
(50th Anniversary Presentation)

The play Volunteers takes place on an archaeological site by the river in a contemporary
Irish city centre. The ‘volunteers’ are political prisoners. For several months they have
been excavating ‘from early Viking down to late Georgian’ (1000 years) and on the last
day of their ‘dig’, before the builders of a new 5-star hotel move in, they learn that they
have been sentenced to death by their fellow internees back at their prison for treason,
their defection in volunteering.

Premiered in 1975 at the Abbey Theatre Dublin, 2025 marks the golden anniversary
of Volunteers and in this presentation with The Playhouse in Derry, the play is a
performed-reading by Kabosh Theatre in a site-specific specially construted outdoor
‘dig set’ (under canopy) in the Keep area overlooking the River Foyle at Ebrington
Square, a former British army barracks.

This is a unique opportunity to experience a play that is rarely presented.

PRESENTATION 1 Friday August 29 2025

7.30pm (with interval)

PRESENTATION 2 Saturday August 30 2025

Act 1, 8.30am
Act 2, 4.30pm

PRESENTATION 3 Sunday August 31 2025

Act 1, 8.30am
Act 2, 4.30pm