17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Martin Beanz Warde brings his one man play to Kerry in a powerful ‘glimpse into Traveller culture'
The Dead House is based around Patrick, an Irish Traveller who hasn't been home in 10 years but returns from self-exile for his grandfather's funeral.
The play is a powerful and moving dark comedy that explores complex themes of family, tradition, and self-acceptance while testing the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of finding one's voice and identity.
The showing of The Deadhouse will be Martin's first time in the town of Tralee and the Galway man is very excited for it.
'I'm really looking forward to the show and I hope the people of Tralee get behind it and come to see it.
'I would love to see a mixture of Traveller and non-Travellers in the crowd because this isn't just a Traveller play, it is a play for Irish theatre and the Irish stage,' he said.
The play will consist of minimal props and lighting, and Martin hopes the play can give non-Travellers a glimpse into the Traveller culture.
'I think in general the Irish theatre industry needs more faces from different places, and we are massively under-represented in the arts in general.
'I think for the non-Traveller audience, they will get a glimpse into the Traveller culture while having a bit of a laugh,' he said.
The music included throughout the play was sung by Traveller singer Kathleen Marie Keenan, and was recorded in the same recording studio used by the Saw Doctors.
For Travellers, Martin hopes the play can be the 'catalyst for change' within the community.
'For Travellers, they can see a Traveller from Galway performing on a stage in Tralee, which even 20 years ago would be seen as almost impossible.
'I really hope it will be a catalyst for change in the community and that the next generation will see me on stage and think 'he's good, but I think I can be better,' and I want them to be better.
'I want the next generation to think they can do more and do much better,' he added.
After the performance, Martin will host a Q&A segment to shed a light into his creative process, explain parts of the play and get to know the crowd.
Tickets start at €15 and can be purchased via
The show starts at 8pm on Friday, May 23.
