NEVER CLOSER
GRACE CHAPPLE
19 - 21 June 2025
Directed by Michelle McAleer
Northern Ireland, 1987.
Deirdre is stuck – between arguments, nations, and the lives she almost lived. But when her old school friends gather in her kitchen yet again for Christmas Eve, their growing differences push to the surface a powder-keg, waiting the tiniest spark. And then one of them turns up with her surprise fiancé.
He’s English.
Set against the backdrop of The Troubles, this brilliant play is an unforgettable drama of home, friends, the decision to leave or stay, and the possibility of forgiveness.
CAST
-
![]()
Hannah Cotton (she/they)
DEIRDRE
-
![]()
Rohan Gamble (he/him)
JIMMY
-
![]()
Sophie Linton (she/her)
NIAMH
-
![]()
Bella Remington (she/her)
MARY
-
![]()
Zachery Bladwell (he/him)
HARRY
-
![]()
Kane Crooks (he/him)
CONOR
MEET THE DIRECTOR
MICHELLE MCALEER
Michelle first tried her hand at directing with My Fair Lady for the Earle Page College Musical Society at the University of New England. Since then, she has worked in various roles in theatre, including technical director at Camp Wah-Nee in Connecticut, stagehand and production assistant at the Sydney Opera House, and performer in a number of stage shows – most recently Things I Know To Be True and The Almighty Sometimes for Bladwell Productions.
Michelle attended NIDA’s Directors and Writers Studio.
As a teacher at Mulwaree High School, Michelle directed Bye Bye Birdie, The Children’s Hour, and Little Shop of Horrors, and at Trinity Catholic College, Michelle co-directed Mamma Mia!.
For Bladwell Productions, Michelle co-directed Andrew Bovell’s After Dinner, and directed Rita Kalnejais’s First Love is the Revolution.
