Wreckquiem is the new play from Pigtown Productions. Playwright Mike Finn and Pat Shortt chatted with Limerick Post’s Eric FitzGerald about this wonderful tribute to the underdog and a commentary on the value of community in a rapidly changing world getting its world premiere this month.
LIMERICK will host the world premiere of Wreckquiem, the hotly anticipated new play from acclaimed playwright Mike Finn ((Pigtown Productions, Bread Not Profits). Finn returns with another powerful, heartfelt and comic tale—this time set to a soundtrack of pre-loved vinyl and K-Tel compilations.
Staged by Lime Tree Theatre and directed by Andrew Flynn (The Ferryman, The Lieutenant of Inishmore), Wreckquiem features an all-star Irish cast led by Pat Shortt as the beleaguered owner of a much-loved second-hand record store. He’s joined by Patrick Ryan, Joan Sheehy, Mark O’Regan, and Sade Malone in this ode to community, nostalgia and musical obsession.
The production was officially launched last week by Mayor John Moran, alongside Mike Finn, the cast and crew, and special guest Jim Lockhart of legendary Irish rock band Horslips—who inspired elements of the story. The event marked the beginning of what promises to be a memorable run in the heart of the city.
Set in “Dessie’s Discs”, a cluttered sanctuary of old LPs, scratched CDs and faded gig posters, Wreckquiem introduces us to a group of eccentric regulars. From obsessive collectors to failed musicians, wannabe designers and nostalgic locals, they all rally to save the shop when a developer threatens to tear it down.
Meet the Cast:
Pat Shortt as Dessie, the defiant shop owner
Patrick Ryan as Paulie, the collector who knows no limits
Joan Sheehy as Maeve, the resident genealogy expert
Sade Malone as Chantelle, a fashion dreamer with big plans
Mark O’Regan as Fintan, the developer with designs on the shop
Pat Shortt who plays Dessie, the shop owner, told Limerick Post that Wreckquiem is about community
“Dessie owns the shop that all congregate around. It’s about the shop being more than just a shop.
“It’s like their lives are all revolving around the music that they would have bought in there. It’s all about their life. Dessies Discs means an awful lot to them. It’s not just a shop. And that’s why he’s holding out and he doesn’t want to sell it, because it’s his life.
“I think that’s the beautiful part of the story. It’s about community I suppose.”
Pat Shortt’s first record – The Carpenters Greatest Hits
With a blend of laugh-out-loud comedy, touching moments, and a brilliantly eclectic soundtrack, Wreckquiem is both a tribute to the underdog and a commentary on the value of community in a rapidly changing world.
Playwright Mike Finn describes Wreckquiem as a story about the love of music. It’s about the importance of independent shops and community spaces. It’s a comedy with some tragic elements.
Mike chatted with Limerick Post about the record shops and coffee shops and bookstores of his youth.
“I just love independent stores that are run by the guy behind the counter who is the guy who owns it.”
He remembers a record shop in Spaights Shopping Centre before that building was demolished for redevelopment (now Dunnes Stores on Henry Street).
“Most of the shops there closed down before he did. I remember going to visit his shop. And you go through this, kind of, empty shopping centre, and he was there up at the end on the right hand side, the last one standing and that stuck in my head.
“These shops can be sanctuaries, for the people who are just a little sort of off kilter, slightly odd, the oddballs around town. Every town’s got those, and I celebrate them, because they’re part of what makes a town, and gives a town character.
“And the shop in our case is Dessie’s Discs. There are three customers who come in all the time. They have their own quirky story, but they’re all really interesting.”
The story revolves around the struggle to keep Dessie Discs open in spite of a developer wanting to close it down for redevelopment.
“The play was inspired by what happened in Rutland Street here in Limerick. And is still happening in Rutland Street , as you well know, It was part of the main street. It was a big commercial centre.
“Then way back in the closing days of the Celtic Tiger, a developer bought up all these little mom and pop shops and boarded them all up with a view to opening the famous Opera Centre Shopping Centre. That’s all fine and dandy. But then, of course, everything collapses in the economy worldwide, but he gets alarmed, and then suddenly, the rest of us, whatever the rights or wrongs of that, us citizens have to suffer the dereliction for about the last ten or 12 years.
The play is also a nostalgia fest for records, the love of vinyl.
“It’s also about people with just a love of music and a love of vinyl and the way music was meant to be listened to.
“It’s a small side swipe at Spotify and the streamers, because, you know, Dessie talks about albums (he is a massive fan of Horslips) and how the producers and the artists would have spent months working on them.(the music, the track listing, the sleeve design etc.)
“I grew up at the time of the concept album, like The War of The Worlds. And The Horslips album always had a story at the front and centre.
“It’s a comedy as well. Most of my things tend to be, my instincts are comedic. And we have got some fabulous actors. There’s a lot of fun in it, but at the same time there’s some heartbreaking stuff in it as well.
“I’m so excited about it, I can’t tell you. I’m not sure when I was last excited about something like this. Probably back to Pigtown you know.”
Mike Finn’s First record – Happy to Meet – Sorry to Part, (the debut album by Horslips)
Wreckquiem is supported by The Arts Council of Ireland, Limerick City and County Council, the Limerick Arts Office, and Lime Tree Theatre, with special thanks to hospitality partner The Limerick Strand Hotel.
Performances run from Wednesday June 25 to Saturday July 5 at Lime Tree Theatre.
Vinyl lovers, comedy fans and champions of the underdog— get your tickets at www.limetreebelltable.ie
