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How to Bury a Dead Mule

by Richard Clements

“I saw the inhumanity and savagery all around me etched into the faces, I was one of them too. Why me, why did I survive?”


How to Bury a Dead Mule tells the story of Norman Clements, Royal Irish Fusilier, his experiences in the front line battles of North Africa, Sicily and Italy during World War Two and his subsequent struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Norman’s account is brought to life in a one-man show with original music, scripted by his grandson, actor Richard Clements who also performs.

An evocative and compellingly powerful piece, at times harrowing and uniquely thought-provoking, Richard takes the audience on an affecting and beautifully imaginative journey into the heart of a man trying to regain a foothold in society.

The story unfolds as he conjures up the old Tonic cinema in Bangor and welcomes in the ghosts of his past, the old projector flickers, the dust light settles and for the first time, he finds his voice.


Image Credit: Neil Harrison

Creatives & Cast

Written/Performed by
Richard Clements

Director 
Matthew McElhinney

Sound Designer
Adam Booth

Video Designer
Eoin Robinson

Lighting Designer 
Mary Tumelty

Set Designer 
Stuart Marshall

Stage Manager
Emily Moore

Original Music Composed by
Richard Clements

Videographer
Tristan Crowe (Negative Waves)

Photographer
Neil Harrison

Credits

Sponsored by

Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum

Northern Ireland Screen Digital Film Archive

Doyle Shipping Group

Clear Pharmacy

Rathmore Productions

Archive Curation

Northern Ireland Screen Digital Film Archive

Imperial War Museum

Creative Use and Colourisation 2022 Original Black and White Film ⓒ Imperial War Museum

Supported by

The Barn Theatre

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