CYMS Players give Hiker his day in the sun
The Kerryman, Nov 7, 2007
See more info about the event, one of
Edith's inimitable odes, and photos here.
Aidan O'Connor
The Killorglin CYMS players Drama Group travelled to Abu Dhabi last week
to stage a production of John B Keane’s play The Year of the Hiker. Aidan
O’Connor was there and returned to tell the tale....
It was early Friday morning - and I was left all alone in the searing heat to make my way back to my hotel in the hectic streets of Abu Dhabi.
What would John B Keane think if he knew one of his plays had been staged the night before in one of the United Arab Emirates? Funny, I thought, how great pieces of work like The Year of the Hiker can travel so easily, immune to time differences, aeroplane food, or searing heat.
Billy Keane was especially proud that his father’s work had furrowed new soil, or even sand. “It’s true that human themes, failings, weaknesses and victories like those in my father’s play The Year of the Hiker can transcend country and continent, religion, colour and belief,” Billy said.
Nobody really knows how Operation Puck came about or how exactly two dozen people from Killorglin set off last week to Abu Dhabi. Some believe it was chance. Others tell how it was one of those ideas that got into Edso Crowley’s head and wouldn’t go away until the dream was fulfilled. In any event the dream did come through.
It was the tenth production of the play this year by CYMS Players Drama Group. After five nights in Killorglin earlier this year, the play went south to Portmagee, then east to Dublin for two nights and then even further east to the Middle East, all the way to Abu Dhabi.
We hadn’t long arrived in Abu Dhabi when I was reminded of David McWilliam’s new theory that it’s now time for the Irish government to tap into the Irish Diaspora all over the world. Between all those who have emigrated to foreign lands over the years, endless experience and years of achievement wait to be harnessed and brought back home.
And that’s how I thought of Tadhg Flahive and his wife Edith. Tadhg comes from Listowel, and Edith from Tralee, and both left Kerry about 15 years ago. Since then, they have made Abu Dhabi their home. In doing so, they have created a home for hundreds of other Irish who pass their way. They are, quite simply, the backbone and engine that drives the Irish community in Abu Dhabi; extraordinary people who get things done and who could have easily invented the Irish philosophy of looking after your own.
Abu Dhabi is not a strange place, but it is different. The Emirates want to show you what they have in terms of wealth, but are slow to let you know anything about themselves. You’re more likely to make friends with Filipinos, Indians, Sri Lankans, or Pakistanis than you are with a local Arab. Then again, that’s not surprising, seeing as about 80 per cent of the people living in the United Arab Emirates don’t even come from there.
For six days and six nights, it was a party like only Killorglin people know. At times you wondered could it have got any funnier or any better But it did. It always did. There’s always people in the group to make it happen.
But it wasn’t all singing and drinking. Every day’s itinerary opened eyes a little more to a world and a system of beliefs and customs that are, literally continents apart from ours. You don’t realise how much sand is in Abu Dhabi until you hop into the shower at night. Some found sand in places where they didn’t even realise they had places. And you don’t really realise how important Islam is until you witness the lengths to which they go to publicly promote their religion and the expense to which they go in adoration of Allah.
Religion means a lot in Abu Dhabi. So does money. Hotels and high-rise buildings are as much a statement of global status and intent as they are evidence of architectural genius. There are no half measures in Abu Dhabi.
Just like Killorglin really.
