Playing in a different league
The hurling themed play 'Spliced' has garnered huge attention, touring everywhere from local GAA halls and ball alleys to the world’s biggest arts festival.
Following a stand-out run throughout August at the Edinburgh Festival, Timmy Creed’s play will finish its tour in Cork.
The acclaimed one man play, written and performed by Timmy Creed, tackles Irish masculine stereotypes through our native national sport, exploring fragile egos, identity, and mental health in the culture of the GAA.
Following extensive touring of the play, Timmy found the response wasn’t exactly what he’d expected. People who saw the play could relate their own experiences to what they saw on stage.
“It’s a very personal look at what it was like for me in the GAA and when I stopped playing.
“But what I’ve found is that it’s a really similar experience for people who’ve played sport, who’ve played GAA. They see themselves reflected in the show. The sport might be different, but huge similarities can be drawn,” says Timmy.
“A lot of them accepted it and thanked me for opening up this dialogue about how much they are asked to commit to it. They weren’t allowed to put their head above the surface and say ‘something’s wrong here’.”
The autobiographical story was inspired by Timmy’s life as a GAA man, playing for 21 years with Bishopstown GAA Club. It explores the highs, lows, successes, pressures and comradery that came with that.
“The root of the play is life after the GAA, and trying to re-establish my identity without the support or the collective of the team, and try and see who I was without it. The struggle of trying to figure out who I was once that support system was gone,” continues Timmy.
Amongst approximately 3,500 shows at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 'Spliced' stood out and generated buzz amongst the international festival crowds.
“It’s a love song to the GAA. You can be in love with something, and still struggle with it, and not like aspects of it. It’s a celebration and a questioning of it,” said Timmy.
'Spliced' will be performed tonight in the Glen Rovers Hurling Club, Ballyvolane at 8pm.
The penultimate performance takes place in Blackrock Hurling Club tomorrow 8 November at 8pm, before the final performance in Timmy’s home club of Bishopstown GAA on Saturday 9 November at 8pm.