A play on words

A critically acclaimed play about the confusing and isolating journey of living with dyslexia is coming to Cork next month.

Growing up with dyslexia in 1970s Ireland was not easy for Irish playwright and actor Keith Dunphy but it didn’t stop the defiant Waterford native from forging a career in theatre.

His play, ‘Word Against the Word’ will run at Cork Arts Theatre from 12-15 August.

It’s an autobiographical work in which Dunphy transforms dyslexia from obstacle into theatrical language itself.

Like many with dyslexia in those days, Dunphy struggled badly in school, and he couldn’t figure out why.

He avoided reading altogether and turned his back on exams, ultimately leaving school unable to read or write.

He left secondary school at 16 and found theatre, getting involved with the Red Kettle Theatre Company in Waterford city. It was there that he met Dublin actor Andy Hines who saw a special spark in a young Dunphy, telling him he should train as a classical actor and encouraging him to apply to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, which he did – though he needed help filling out the forms. His audition was successful, but the costs were just too high for a working class family to afford.

Then a miracle occurred. Catching wind of his plight, the local community in Waterford banded together and fundraised the money he needed to set forth into the world of fine acting.

He joined RADA where he dived headfirst into Shakespeare and later joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, later getting roles in ‘Peaky Blinders’ and ‘The Wind that Shakes the Barley’.

Having achieved so much since his humble and challenging beginnings, Dunphy wanted a new challenge – to write a play.

That play was ‘Word Against the Word’.

“As I wrote it, it became about my journey with dyslexia.

“The play revealed itself to me and it revealed me. It is funny, interesting, and interactive with the audience,” he told Dyslexia Ireland.

“The play is about the journey of being dyslexic, celebrating that they are working class and being true to themselves. It features dyslexia and Shakespeare with a Waterford accent and also King Richard II who came to Waterford with his army in the 13th century.

“I was told in the past that it would not be acceptable to play Richard II in an Irish accent. I wish to explore the unconscious bias too around accent, class, and identity,” said Dunphy.

‘Word Against The Word’, written and performed by Keith Dunphy, will run Cork Arts Theatre from 12-15 August.