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Newpoint Players are back later this month for another of Anthony Russell's courtroom dramas, this time putting Sir James Craig, First Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, in the dock.
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The Trial of Lord Craigavon: Before the Court of History takes place at 7.30 pm on Tuesday, 21 April at Finegan and Son, Kildare Street, Newry, with the audience serving as the jury. The event is hosted by the Old Newry Society.
In the drama, Lord Craigavon (Sir James Craig) faces a charge of treason, prosecuted by John Mitchel (1815-1875), the Irish Republican and advocate for the reopening of the African slave trade. His defence is led by Lord Edward Carson (1854-1935), who historically led the opposition to Home Rule.
Among the witnesses called are Thomas D'Arcy McGee (1825-1868), a former Irish rebel who went on to become a loyalist and a founding father of the Canadian Confederation, and Mrs Elizabeth Crozier, from Altnaveigh townland on the Ulster borderlands, who was murdered. Presiding over proceedings is the Judge Dionysius Cronos, who was present at the Trial of Socrates. All the ghosts are aware of what has happened in the world since they entered the grave and comment accordingly.
The dialogue has been assessed for historical accuracy by Dr James Quinn of the Royal Irish Academy and is described as informative, challenging and humorous.
This follows an earlier production at the same Newry venue, the Trial of P.H. Pearse. John Mitchel has also previously faced five trials across various venues, including Newry Court House, the Marketplace Theatre, Brownlow House, the Thomas D'Arcy McGee Human Rights Summer School, and the 1st Presbyterian Church on Rosemary Street, which is historically associated with successful opposition to Belfast becoming a slave trading city. In each of those cases, the jury voted to keep his statue in Newry.
As in Anthony Russell’s six other trial plays, performed from Winnipeg to Wexford, the characters from the past are performed by Newpoint Players and directed by Donal O’Hanlon.
Entrance is £10 and to book tickets email tomandros@btinternet.com
