Why learn and speak a language that is not your mother tongue and why strive to feel part of a nation of begrudgers, backbiters and doubters? Such questions, reflecting that familiar angst over language and nationality, are not particular to Ireland. One has only to look across the water.
Welsh writer Ian Rowland's efforts to address the issue won him the Best Play on the Fringe Award at last year's Dublin Theatre Festival. His play, Marriage of Convenience, is set on the morning of the British royal wedding of Charles to Diana Spencer, and is performed as a monologue by actor Gareth Potter. The production returned to Ireland this month for a short tour, and is running at Galway's Town Hall Theatre from tomorrow until Saturday.
The play is the first part of a new Scottish-Welsh-Irish theatre exchange, initiated by Galway, and involving the Tron Theatre in Glasgow and the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff. The idea arose during contact with the companies, according to Michael Diskin of the Galway Town Hall Theatre. It seemed to make sense, given the recurring common problems of nationality, self-expression and self-confidence. A second phase of the project will take place in October, when a theatre "laboratory" will take place. Further information, and booking for this week can be obtained by phoning (091) 569777.