John Dunne

John started his directing career working with youth theatre groups devising and producing plays for performance.  He then developed a range of community theatre workshops aimed at people of all ages and abilities, specialising in work with people with learning and physical disabilities as well as with people considered to be outside the mainstream (including people in prisons and secure units, people dealing with mental health issues and young asylum seekers).

During this period, John developed a range of issue plays which he wrote, produced and directed himself, many of which were commissioned by Age Concern as well as other voluntary or statutory bodies. In the last few years, he has produced and directed a range of classic adaptations, specialising in pared-down versions of English novels such as Pride and Prejudice, The Railway Children and works by Thomas Hardy and Charles Dickens. Since becoming artistic director of the award winning London Irish Theatre, John has produced and directed a number of plays written by new Irish writers (including his own work) which have been performed to critical acclaim. Stuck in Kansas is John's first venture north of the border! For more information visit also: www.londonirishtheatre.com

The Vault (venue 29)

     11 Merchant Street,Edinburgh,EH1 2QD
     Box office: 0131 510 0022
     www.paradise-green.co.uk / www.edfringe.com
 
     Preview: August 9 at 17.15 (1hr)
     August 10-15, 17-22

Song, dance, and dementia collide in this award winning ,fun-filled show.

Billed by 'Metro Lite' under 'Must see Comedy,' 'Off her Trolley' is a blend of stand-up, character and song that explores some serious issues as well.

Focusing on the lives of those that live and work in residential care for the elderly 'Off her Trolley' looks at the impact of Alzheimers disease on the individual and their loved ones and of poor working conditions on quality of care.

Packed with gentle anecdotal humour, and pulling some punches too, join the carer, the NVQ student and the visitor as they share with you their lives.

Laughter and reflection guaranteed.

Very few actors can afford not to have another job, and for many years, most of her working life infact, Eleanor has been a care assistant. She has worked with many different 'client groupings,' but for the last ten years or more she has worked with the Elderly. "I have worked in the community as a 'home help,' but for the most part I have worked in residential care (in a 'home') both in the private and public sectors."

Increasingly dissillusioned and concerned with the impact of poor working conditions on quality of care, this was a major motivation for writing the show, along with the desire to express the wisdom that older people have to offer.

"Elderly people, and especially those with dementia, do not have a voice, neither do care assistants. We are wives and mothers, we are young men and women from abroad, and we may not have a 'higher' education, English may not be our first language, and we may not concern ourselves with speaking, or have the confidence to. We are busy caring for others, but we are neither stupid nor unimportant. We notice the things that others dont, and we have something to say."

Kirrie has been directing plays, ranging from Shakespeare to new writing via Chekhov and Noel Coward, for the past ten years. Directing credits include Much Ado About Nothing, Les Liaisons Dangeureuses, The Cherry Orchard, Present Laughter, The Dresser by Ronald Harwood and Our Country's Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker, all at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. On the London fringe, favourite productions have included Drinking to Remember by David Varela, W;t by Margaret Edson and Romeo and Juliet, in a promenade performance in the crypt of St Andrew's Church, Holborn.

Last year she directed Rupture by Jason Charles for First Draft, and she has also recently been working with Judy Upton on her new play, Once Around the Sun. This year she directed Counterfeit Skin by Jason Charles at the new Courtyard theatre in Hoxton. Kirrie trained as a director with Mike Alfreds, Katie Mitchell and Tatiana Olear (Living Pictures Productions).

Tickets are available on the door of all listed venues, however, seats are limited hence advance booking is strongly advisable.

I would like to thank:

Ian Wisdom
Andy Parsons
Kate Lord
Lee Menzies
James Seabright
Sue Scott- Davison
Jackie Pert
John Ryder
Beate Hohmann
Kirrie Wratten
Terry Perkins
Bernadette Reed
Le Voy Wilson

and Gingercat (for calming me down)

and all my wonderful friends for their long-suffering patience and support!