Playwright’s new comedy to bring joy to those living in isolation

Maria Connolly, together with fellow actresses Christina Nelson and Roisin Gallaher, have been working on the uplifing comedy, The Broads, three short plays about the lives of Judy Garland, Bette Midler and Marilyn Monroe.

Maria said: “I had an idea a few years ago to write a play specifically for people living in isolation. I watched a news programme about elderly people who are suffering desperately from isolation. These people can go for months without any human interaction and I wanted to do something to break that loneliness.’’

Maria is among a further 150 artists in Northern Ireland who will beneift from the emergency fund.

The Arts Council and Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey unveiled details for the £500,000 Artists Emergency Programme in April.

The scheme was set up to support artists and performers whose income has been badly hit by the pandemic, with venues closed, festivals cancelled and projects placed on hold.

Within two weeks, over 300 applications were received, totalling almost £1.4m, and the scheme was temporarily closed because of the high demand.

Now an additional £50,000 Arts Council National Lottery funding has been made available and £25,000 from the Department for Communities.

This brings the total amount now awarded through the scheme to £575,000.

Those offered funding include writers, composers, theatre practitioners, community artists and visual artists. Each will receive grants of up to £3,000.

Maria added:’’ Many of us who work in the arts have lost 12 months’ work due to COVID-19. As we are self-employed we do not qualify for the furlough scheme and getting other financial support is incredibly difficult so this funding from the Arts Council has been a lifeline for many.

‘‘It is incredible that I have received funding now to do the show during this horrific pandemic. This is a time when the world desperately needs artists to bring hope, colour and change into the world, .

“The funding allows me and three other actors to rehearse, in isolation via zoom, for one week and perform for one week.

‘‘My slots for the play filled up in a matter of hours. The reaction from the people the play is going to has been both heart-breaking and heart-warming.”