thisispopbaby presentsThe year of magical wanking
BY NEIL WATKINS
TRUTHFUL. HEARTFELT. IDENTIFIABLE.
TRUTHFUL. HEARTFELT. IDENTIFIABLE.
A story through the wilderness of queerness.
Neil Watkins has wanked more than is healthy, allegedly.
As one of Ireland’s most exciting artists and incendiary performers, Neil is a force of nature, a maverick, a 33-year old homosexual with a Jesus complex. On orders from Heaven, this is Neil’s story through the wilderness of queerness—from Catholic Ireland to the cruising bars of the world, from suburban ‘Head Shops’ to Native American ceremonies.
The Year of Magical Wanking began as a work-in-progress at Queer Notions 2010. It went on to electrify audiences at Cork Midsummer, Dublin Fringe Festival and Outburst Belfast in 2011. In 2012, the show shocked audiences at the Adelaide Fringe and attracted protesters at Sydney Theatre Company
Named as Queer Notions 2010 festival highlight by The Irish Times, The Year of Magical Wanking is a brave and heartbreaking exploration of porn addiction, destructive sexual behaviour, Catholic guilt and family heartbreak. Written in hypnotic verse, it is both a profound personal journey and a furious state of the nation address.
Developed and produced by THISISPOPBABY and supported by Cork Midsummer Festival.
“Truthful, heartfelt and immediately identifiable…astonishingly brave”
THE IRISH TIMES“…comedy triumphantly cajoled and teased from between the jaws of a terrible truth.”
CultureNorthernIreland.org“…both caustic and considered…under Phillip McMahon’s bracingly
unsentimental direction, is transformed into a more capacious metaphor for disaffection and regeneration.”
IRISH THEATRE MAGAZINECREDITS
Written and Performed by
Neil Watkins
Directed and Developed by
Phillip McMahon
Designed by
Ciarán O’Melia
Produced by
Jennifer Jennings, Lara Hickey & Phillip McMahon
Soundtrack by
Oberman Knocks
Production Photography
Fiona Morgan
Poster Image by
Peter Fingleton
Graphic Design
Niall Sweeney, Pony Ltd.
PREVIOUS TOUR DATES
9-12 SEPTEMBER 2011
PROJECT ARTS CENTRE, DUBLIN
23-25 JUNE 2011
Half moon theatre, Cork
12 NOVEMBER 2011
Black box theatre, Belfast
17-29 JANUARY 2012
theatre works, melbourne, australia
AC ARTS, ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA
18 MARCH 2012
