Shaun’s ‘powerful’ Deaf As A Post play gets rave reviews

Shaun’s ‘powerful’ Deaf As A Post play gets rave reviews

17 July 2024

AN award-winning Downpatrick actor, who established his own theatre and film company, has received glowing reviews after taking his new play on the road.

Shaun Blaney’s new play Deaf As A Post — which deals with issues of hearing and deafness — has been deemed a “thought provoking, powerful and impactful” according to several critics.

The play is set in a dustpan London, where a viral ear-worm turns victims into pointed zombie ‘Loopers’.

One reluctant Irish soldier named Goody cunningly uses his hearing loss to survive. But there’s more to listening than hearing. 

As his feelings for his commanding officer deepen, Goody must choose between the safety of isolation or the vulnerability of loving another.

Written by Shaun, a long-time hearing aid user, the play is inspired by his family’s history of hearing loss, told in a boldly experimental way.

Shaun, who runs Dandelion Productions, performed the Aisling award-winning one man show ‘In The Name of The Son’, for the Lyric Theatre and Belfast Grand Opera House, chronicling the life of Gerry Conlon.

The production toured to Edinburgh fringe fest 2022 and Auckland Theatre Fest 2023, in New Zealand.

Last year he starred in two of The Stages top 50 theatre productions: Cyprus Avenue for the Tron Glasgow and Rhino for Tinderbox.

This year, Shaun returned to the Grand Opera House for Martin Lynch’s Chronicles of Longkesh and recently took his new play to the 

Barons Court Theatre in London.

Performed under his new production company, the actor along with co-founder Emma Copland, strive to develop theatre and film projects through playfulness, listening and honesty.

“We nurture collaboration with like-minded artists, who are unafraid to provoke and ready to be foolish,” Shaun said.

“We believe every piece of art is still a work in progress. We promote stories of hope which embrace the audience and provide some needed escapism.” 

The play has garnered several critical reviews, and local audiences will have the opportunity to see Deaf As A Post from August 2 to August 4, at the Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich on The Falls Road, Belfast. 

Tickets can be bought via Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/deaf-as-a-post-by-shaun-blaney-a-rehearsed-reading-tickets-888423036217, with each ticket costing £7.