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Brú Theatre: Not a Word

MimeLondon 2025

— ,The Pit

Mask, music and movement combine in this new piece of physical theatre about the forgotten Irish navvies who worked hard, faltered and slowly faded from memory.

A day’s labouring done, in a place that has never quite felt like home, a silent man plays a beautiful old tune as memory dances amongst his workman’s boots and few cherished trinkets.

Celebrating those who ‘took the boat’, a forgotten class of Irish emigrants who helped build countries that were not their own, this poignant production offers a moving portrait of one emigrant that echoes many people's stories today. Featuring live electronic and traditional music, it's an ode to a self exiled laborer, which seeks the beauty in the banal and the poetry between the cracks. 

Based in Galway, Brú Theatre make extraordinary work that reflects the languages, literatures and landscapes of where they are from. 

Tagged with: Theatre & dance Theatre and Dance Winter/Spring 2025 MimeLondon 2025 More...

Age guidance: 12+

Running time: 1 hour, no interval

Post-show talk, Wed 22 Jan
Free to same-day ticket holders. BSL-interpreted by Lorna Patterson.

Presented by the Barbican

This presentation is supported with funding from Culture Ireland.

Photography credit: Emilijah Jefremova

Creative team

James Riordan Director
Raymond Keane Performer
Ultan O Brien Musician
Sarah Jane Shiels Lighting design
Andrew Clancy Set design
Saileóg O Halloran Costume design
Orla Clogher Mask design
Jill Murray Producer
Jenny O’Malley Sound design
‘An artistic and theatrical triumph....a remarkable piece of theatre.‘
The Arts Review
‘An evocative heart-rending piece about yearning and forgotten lives that weaves a spell‘
Irish Times

Discover

A whale-sized whale puppet floats on stage in dark water, two people play string instruments behind it,

Trailer: MimeLondon

An epic adaptation of Moby Dick, a dark fairy-tale brought to life, an ode to the Irish navvies and a remarkable piece of micro-cinema – discover what audiences can expect at MimeLondon 2025 in our trailer. 

Watch now

The Pit

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