Powerful play about suicide to be staged in Ballina

'In the Wake of Suicide' is a powerful one-man play, written and performed by Stephen Doyle. 

This hard, honest, portrayal of the devastating impact of suicide will be performed at Ballina Arts Centre on Friday next, September 12th, as part of Suicide Awareness Week.

While developing the piece, Stephen spent seven years talking to survivors and victims’ families The play is a reflection of their stories - the highs and lows of life, and the brutal reality of the ultimate choice made by so many. 

Audiences have been hugely impressed by its candour and relevance saying: "It put in words what I could never say"; "watching this helped me release ten years of anger"; "this experience became a part of my healing process" and "the play gave me permission to talk about my feelings".

The story follows the lives of four friends and takes the audience on a journey which is both wonderfully colourful and aptly dark. Will, an aspiring jazz musician, has the potential to achieve wonderful things, whilst his father, a rock to Will’s friends in their teenage years, bears a heavy cross which causes all their lives to unravel. The tragic events that unfold are shocking and unexpected, with twists and turns the whole way through.

'In the Wake of Suicide' encourages people to talk, to reach out, and to acknowledge the reverberating destruction caused by suicide. Through its gritty portrayal, it hopes to discourage people from carrying out the final, desperate act, and encourages them to reach out to the wonderful organisations which offer support, and to seek guidance and help from the people around them. 

Almost 800,000 people die by suicide every year. This play encourages us to talk about suicide and, in doing so, to be part of the movement to reduce that number. Tickets are available online or at the box office on 096-73593.