Blood Upon The Rose

The brilliant Musical/Drama “Blood Upon The Rose” written and
directed by Gerry Cunningham tells the tragic love story of Grace
Gifford and Joseph Plunkett set against the background of the Easter
Rising in Dublin 1916. Their courtship, marriage in jail and his
execution the following morning are brought to life in this compelling
and absorbing musical/drama.

21 April 2019, SEC Armadillo. Tickets on sale 10am, 14 Sept >> https://bit.ly/2CP7Toz

Joseph Plunkett, struggles with illness throughout most of his life and
is barely fit to take his part in the momentous events of 1916. A mild
mannered,eccentric son of the Papal Count, George Noble Plunkett,
Joseph defies his illness to marry his fiancee, Grace Gifford and become
Director of Military operations before and during the rising.

Grace,
however hails from a slightly different background from that of Joseph .
Her parents are both wealthy middle class Unionists and strong members
of the Protestant faith.

Yet their love of the arts and deeply
held Christian values are what lock Joseph and Grace together until the
cold steel of execution brings their love to an early end.

Joseph’s
part in the rising features prominently in this Musical/Drama as does
his relationship with Pearse, McDonagh, Clarke, Connolly and other
iconic leaders of the rebellion. His courage and strong leadership in
the GPO during Easter week are there for all to see.

Plunkett’s
marriage to Grace in a dark candle-lit chapel in Kilmainham jail the
night before his execution touched the hearts of a nation coming to
terms with the aftermath of this momentous event in Irish history. This
heart rendering episode in the rising was brought to the fore much later
in 1985 with Frank and Sean O’Meara’s writing of the beautiful song
“Grace”.

The haunting lyrics and melody of “Blood upon the Rose” sets the tone for this enthralling musical/drama.

“Let
the Nation Rise” sung by the signatories of the proclamation will
certainly stir the emotions as will the beautiful number “Be my Hope”
performed by both Grace and Joseph as their love deepens.