Poster design by Billie De Buitléar
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Photography by Ste Murray
Videography by Luke Brabazon
Parcel From America weaves a tale of a lonely widow and a young neighbor boy in a remote parish in the west of Ireland. The year is 1950, a time of extreme hardship when families relied on the Christmas parcels sent by their relatives who emigrated to find work "across the pond." When Bridge Kelly’s lug of son Liam Óg takes everything she owns and runs away, leaving her penniless and heartbroken, young Sean’s family assigns him the task of caring for Bridge who is wasting away in grief. Sean, in his desperation to cheer Bridge, assures her that her son has taken the boat to America, like so many others, and will certainly send her a letter and of course a parcel at Christmas.
Thus begins Bridge’s daily vigil of waiting for Davey the Post with her hopes and her lantern held high. Davey, Father Tom and Sean’s family find themselves perpetuating the myth that Liam Óg will send a parcel, but Christmas Eve arrives and there is nothing for Bridge. No one can find it in their heart to “scrape the marrow from her bones” by telling her the bad news. It is Grandmother, the soul of wisdom, who devises the plan to take the clothing they received in their parcel, including the dollars desperately needed by their own family, and wrap them up in a new parcel for Bridge. She tells Sean to write a letter, as if he were Liam Óg, and tuck that into the parcel. What begins as a painful exercise soon becomes a joyous celebration of giving, as Davey the Post and Sean’s family step out into the crisp winter night to deliver their parcel to Bridge. They are soon joined by other members of the parish with lanterns held high. Bridge rejoices over the parcel, but the letter tucked inside is the real gift, and young Sean glimpses for the first time the real meaning of Christmas.
Thus begins Bridge’s daily vigil of waiting for Davey the Post with her hopes and her lantern held high. Davey, Father Tom and Sean’s family find themselves perpetuating the myth that Liam Óg will send a parcel, but Christmas Eve arrives and there is nothing for Bridge. No one can find it in their heart to “scrape the marrow from her bones” by telling her the bad news. It is Grandmother, the soul of wisdom, who devises the plan to take the clothing they received in their parcel, including the dollars desperately needed by their own family, and wrap them up in a new parcel for Bridge. She tells Sean to write a letter, as if he were Liam Óg, and tuck that into the parcel. What begins as a painful exercise soon becomes a joyous celebration of giving, as Davey the Post and Sean’s family step out into the crisp winter night to deliver their parcel to Bridge. They are soon joined by other members of the parish with lanterns held high. Bridge rejoices over the parcel, but the letter tucked inside is the real gift, and young Sean glimpses for the first time the real meaning of Christmas.
"For me, growing up as a small boy in Teampall an Ghleanntain, the prime symbol of the Christmas season was the parcel from America. Almost every family had a relative in America at this time, and those relatives would send home a parcel to the family they had left so tearfully behind. And I can tell you that for many families, more cash money and more clothing would come into the house in that parcel at Christmastime than in the course of the whole year that had preceded it. So that parcel was looked forward to with the same glee and anticipation by grown men and women as young children look forward to Santy Claus. That parcel contained the gold, frankincense and myrrh from that fabled land across the sea—America.”
FROM FELLOW PROFESSIONALS:
"Parcel From America is simply sublime. If there is one show you must see before it ends, it is this one... Absolutely wonderful. You will leave the theatre with a smile in your heart". -- KARL DAWSON, presenter, the Weekend Breakfast Show, Dublin 98FM
“One of our best performing productions of 2022. The audience loved it and sales were exceptional. We would certainly welcome the show back for another run.” — LUCY RYAN, Director of Programming and Finance, Smock Alley Theatre Dublin
“A poignant story ... with a luscious soundtrack filled with moving and evocative music and songs.” — CARL CORCORAN, former presenter, RTE’s Blue in the Night, Director of MA in Songwriting, University of Limerick
"...beautifully and sensitively portrayed, interwoven with traditional and lilting reels and laments to suit the narrative. The acting through song was particularly evident throughout, making this a credible and moving piece.” — DEIRDRE MASTERSON, Performing Arts Dean, Irish American University; Director, Irish College of Music Theatre
"...a timeless story. A celebration of Irish culture and music that manages to be both bittersweet and completely uplifting." — CHERYL HAMADA, PBS Pledge Host
"I took a group of teenagers and adults to see Parcel from America in Smock Alley...The universal themes of emigration, fresh starts, and fulfillment of dreams resonated with all. At the interval, each of us realised we had our own parcel story, stories of legacies from dead relatives never seen, stories of those who left and were never heard of again. These stories were shared with the teenagers. One mother remarked that she wished her own mother was with her that day, as memories flooded back, and maybe she was in spirit. It certainly brought family together with inter generational appeal. The production values were high, a polished production with humour and pathos which celebrates Irish culture with a modern twist. This show will travel well and is a worthy ambassadorial production. Congratulations!" -- GERALDINE O'BRIEN, youth worker, drama teacher and theatre director
FROM THE AUDIENCE:
“The show was exquisite. We both agreed this could have legs (not the ones that might break). There were tears. A triumph.” — ANGUS & SUSAN HANLY
“A night of magic! Such a lovely uplifting show, with beautiful music. An absolute treat in store for all those still to go” — AUDREY
"I bloody loved it! I have a real thing for old Ireland and the simple way things were. And the music really brought me there. It's a very moving and heartwarming show and is a lovely representation of little old Ireland and the care we have for one another." — NAOISE MURRAY
"A first class production ... utterly beguiling, a very moving production that stayed with me long after the curtain went down ... Go see!" — JENNIFER CULLY
" I thought about and reflected on the show for a long time, the acting and the Irish experience which is still relevant today! Not just for Irish people but so relevant for other cultures in the present! Thank you for a great night!" — MAURA LAGAN
"Parcel from America is a beautiful story of a by-gone time in Ireland, a time of community and cooperation portrayed lovingly in this ensemble musical. This show truly captures the sentiment of the seanfhocail “Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine”: "People live in each other’s shadows." We watch how the inhabitants of a small village share their hopes, fears, and interconnected lives, with truths about the Irish experience just as relevant to us modern counterparts. Crafted with a gorgeous blend of Irish trad and show tunes, the songs performed by this stellar cast tugs on the heartstrings, utilizing the sounds of Ireland to tell a uniquely Irish, heartfelt story."
— SAM FERRIE
"Brilliant night. Loved it. Heartwarming story and amazing harmonies." — HILARY MCBAIN
"Absolutely great ... I'd highly recommend it to anyone." — JANE KENDRICK
"I loved Parcel From America. A musical with a good story, well acted or a play with lovely music, beautifully performed. It was both. Us Irish and our Eastern European friends both had the concept of the parcel from America in our histories and the show was well appreciated by all." — NOELINE BLACKWELL
"This is an absolute delight." — MARY WHITE
" So well worth going to – sad that it ends Sunday." — HEATHER & JOHN DUNNE
"I left the theatre with a big, happy smile."— NIAMH CAMPBELL
Open the file below to read the advance press for the Smock Alley production!
| parcel_from_america_publicity.pdf |