Derek Masterson Productions
Derek is an Award Winning Irish Playwright, Screenwriter and Poet who has written extensively for stage and screen over the past fifteen years. A highly motivated and compassionate writer who excels at writing complex dark and comedic human stories with a particular talent for writing female driven chamber pieces.
Civic Theatre, Tallaght May 2015
My Second Self (Second Production)
This successful piece that first featured in the International Dublin Gay Theatre festival in 2013 was produced for a second time in May 2015 to help bolster support for a yes vote in the upcoming same sex marriage referendum.
Paul has lost his son.
Leyton has lost his father.
Together they will find themselves.
"My Second Self" is an inspirational new Irish drama illustrating two different understandings of homosexuality in 21st Century Ireland. Through the stories of two men from different generations, we see both the oppression and progression of homosexuality in a New Ireland.
The show is a heart warming two-man drama that will give an audience a fresh perspective and
outlook on homosexuality in Ireland"
A triumph for another all Irish production… -Brian Merriman – International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival Magazine
Civic Theatre, Tallaght, December 2014
A Mother's Love
Marie has grown up with Rita having always been her mother, until she learns of some past truths that will set her life on a path of poor decisions, regrets and murder. Ultimately Marie will learn the lengths a mother will go to out of love and affection for her children in this brand new play spanning 1970s to 1990s inner city Dublin and encapsulating the early to mid-life of Marie Thornton.
Outhouse, Dublin, May 2014
Two Sides of a Coin
2014 International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival.
“When you’ve tried everything, what else is there?”
Welcome to the world of professionals, privilege and pummelling. Where money isn’t in short supply; sex isn’t as exciting as it once was, and drugs don’t give the highs they used to. Three business men take to the streets nightly to partake in a sick and sinister past time of beating up unassuming gay men in this disturbing tale of explicit homophobia, sexual repression and malice
Theatre Upstairs @ Lanigan’s, Dublin, February 2014
Angel
"His name is Daniel, but you'll forget that soon..."
Daniel is an articluate intelligent loner, and completely incapable of carrying out revenge on those he blames for the loss of his sister.
Angel is everything Daniel isn't, and more than capable.
But is she looking to take revenge on Daniel's behalf, or take control of Daniel's life?
Civic Theatre, Tallaght, 3 Runs 2013/2014
Queens of Pimlico
"Sisters to the bitter end."
It's Alma's wedding day, only she's marrying her older sister Rita's ex-fiancé. With tensions high as it is, Alma has one more secret, but with "not a pot to piss in, literally" it could be her ticket to a better way of life, leaving her only sister and last remaining family behind.
This brand new two act play set in the early 1950's tenements of Dublin will leave audiences with smiles on their faces and tears on their cheeks.
MILL THEATRE DUNDRUM MAUREEN O'HARA STUDIO, AUGUST 30th & 31st, 2013
THE LITTLEST THEATRETHE IVY HOUSE, DRUMCONDRA
SEPTEMBER 3rd & 4th, 2013
SWEENEY'S MONGREL32 DAME STREET, DUBLIN 2nd September 5th, 6th & 7th, 2013
Hidden Love
"Find truth in lies”
Aggressive “Chib” (Anthony Blake) and meek little “Lamb” (Ian Meehan) have kidnapped young “Lana”, a high powered politician’s daughter. Refusing to let her go until their ransom is received and certain wrongs have been set right, is time running out for the two ill prepared men?
This dark and exciting new play with undertones of dark Dublin humour is set to shock and surprise audiences; with twists and turns they won’t see coming.
The New Theatre, Dublin City Centre, August 2013
A Nice Bed to Die In (Second Production)
Following a successful first showing in the Civic Theatre in Tallaght, the play returned for a second run in the New Theatre in Dublin City Centre.
"Two women. Similar in age. About to die. … That’s where the similarities end."
Two mature women find themselves sharing the same room in a private terminal cancer unit; the only
problem being they are from very different post codes in Dublin.
“A Nice Bed to Die In” looks at the social dichotomy in Dublin, analysing class structure, isolation of the elderly and dysfunctional families.
Trinity Players, Dublin, May 2013
My Second Self (First Production)
International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival 2013
Paul has lost his son.
Leyton has lost his father.
Together they will find themselves.
"My Second Self" is an inspirational new Irish drama illustrating two different understandings of homosexuality in 21st Century Ireland. Through the stories of two men from different generations, we see both the oppression and progression of homosexuality in a New Ireland.
The show is a heart warming two-man drama that will give an audience a fresh perspective and
outlook on homosexuality in Ireland"
A triumph for another all Irish production… -Brian Merriman – International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival Magazine
Civic Theatre, Tallaght, February 2013
A Nice Bed to Die In (First Production)
"Two women. Similar in age. About to die. … That’s where the similarities end."
Two mature women find themselves sharing the same room in a private terminal cancer unit; the only
problem being they are from very different post codes in Dublin.
“A Nice Bed to Die In” looks at the social dichotomy in Dublin, analysing class structure, isolation of the elderly and dysfunctional families.
'A thoughtful and entertaining piece of work with great performances…go for the giggles but bring tissues for the teary bits!' - Kate O'Connor, QualityWaffle.ie
'I laughed out loud and some of the lines stayed with me. Very wittily written.' - Louise Kervick, The Local News, Tallaght
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Trinity Players, Dublin, May 2013
My Second Self (First Production)
International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival 2013
Paul has lost his son.
Leyton has lost his father.
Together they will find themselves.
"My Second Self" is an inspirational new Irish drama illustrating two different understandings of homosexuality in 21st Century Ireland. Through the stories of two men from different generations, we see both the oppression and progression of homosexuality in a New Ireland.
The show is a heart warming two-man drama that will give an audience a fresh perspective and
outlook on homosexuality in Ireland"
A triumph for another all Irish production… -Brian Merriman – International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival Magazine
New Theatre, Dublin City Centre, 14th -16th March 2012
The Draiocht, Blanchardstown 12th - 14th September, 2012
The Civic (Tallaght) 19th - 21st September, 2012
The New Theatre (Temple Bar) 22nd - 27th October, 2012
Bound
"Four women. Four stories. One profession."
Set in a brothel in rural Ireland, this tale of female empowerment focuses on the turmoil and inner struggles that four prostitutes face whilst under the unchallenged control of their pimp. Throughout the course of the play each woman will be forced to face up to the reality of their situation, ponder their fate, and realise the universal need that binds them.
The Exchange, Dublin City Centre, October 2011
Opportunity Knocks
Tilly and Charlie are your average 20-something year old couple living together. Respectively, they're talented ; they're in love ; they're a little overweight, and they're bored. However, all that is about to change when a perfect stranger offers them an opportunity of a lifetime ; to break out of their "rut" (routine) lifestyle and become the successes they've always striven to be. Alas, they're about to learn that success, and fame and fortune in this new age of harsh journalism and "car-crash-careers" comes at a price.
Back Loft Theatre, Dublin City Centre, March 2010
Five Minute Flight
Based on true events, this thought-provoking script, from newcomer Derek Masterson, explores the question – what do our lives mean, if the end leaves us unfulfilled? An ambitious project, it centres on Harry, a pilot with a failed marriage and a forlorn relationship with his daughter. This day is much the same as any other, and yet as the plane reaches the end of its five minute flight, Harry will have to face questions in his life – is he a total failure, or have all roads led to this moment?
But Harry is not alone on this journey. Joining him are the last passengers - Toni, Simon, Philip and Ellis. All different and yet all the same, they share Harry’s dichotomy. Simon’s brashness, Ellis's stoicism and Philip’s excitement are the parallels to Toni’s pacifism. The group will join the pilot on their flight, their last flight, and together they must find themselves.
UCD, November 2008
Teller
Encapsulating the darkest aspects of modern day Dublin society, “Teller” recounts the tale of Kennedy, a drug and alcoholic addicted bank teller with high notions of himself, not to mention a plethora of frustrations and inner conflict.
In a fast paced script which relays just a week of the antihero’s life, there are several encounters, including a drug overdose ; an attempted suicide ; a shooting ; gangland criminals ; prostitution ; a bank raid and bent coppers. In essence the script echoes all that is unwell with society, with no rotting stone left unturned.
Through a succession a monologues and intermittent admittances to the audience, the protagonist lays bare an addicts self serving nature and his loathing for, or indifference towards everything in life which does not feed his habit(s).
Though shocking at times, Kennedy exhibits some fleeting remnants of a conscience which serve to remind us that monsters are not necessarily born, but created. Despite the sinister nature of its contents, the dramatic tale is told with an abundance of dry wit, and is not so much a morality play about a person finding themselves, but accepting their position in life...even if that is working as a bank teller.