ROSECOOGAN
ROSE+BUD ROSE+BUD
DIRECTEDBY ANEWPLAYBY
BENJAMINGOULD
Rose+Bud
Finding yourself is never easy, having to find yourself as a closeted t-girl in a nightclub smoking area in Derry? Hellish. Join Rose and Bud as they discover what it means to be yourself in the face of trauma, questionable men and a deep unabidingloveofmirrors.
A journey of realisation, transition and, perhaps, reconciliation. Journey inside the mind of Rose Coogan - a new play about coming to terms with who you were, who youareandwhoyouwanttobe.
Written by Rose Coogan and directed by Benjamin Gould Rose+Bud is a heartfelt and heart-breaking, queer comedy about self-acceptance. Needed now more than ever, this semi-autobiographical piece shares a much-needed positive transnarrative.
Developed and produced in association with Lyric Theatre, Belfast. Orginially developed with Scene + Heard. Funded by Arts Council NI.
Creating the World of Rose+Bud
Behind the Scenes at Rehearsals
Conor Cupples ‘Bud’
Rose Coogan
'Rose' and Playwright
Rose Coogan is a writer, performer and comedian who has been performing in Belfast for the last two years. Rose has been working with Commedia of Errors on her debut play, Rose+Bud for the last three years and is eager to share her story with everyone. (she/her)
(he/they)
Conor is an actor and theatre maker from West Belfast. Their work has a queer focus and they are a recipient of the 2024 SIAP award exploring Drag and Burlesque in performance
Conor is delighted to be returning to Dublin Fringe for Rose+Bud after debuting their own show “He’s Perfect” with the Dublin Fringe in 2022!
Some recent credits include:
Gadget - Between galaxies, Replay Theatre
Prometheus - Carbon women, Dumbworld Theatre
Dion - “He’s Perfect”, Dublin Fringe and Outburst Arts
Festival
Finn - A Kind of Spark, BBC Iplayer
Francis - Tracey, Short film
Barry - The talk, Short film
BenjaminGould Director
Benjamin founded Commedia of Errors in 2014 and is Artistic Director of the Company. He holds a BA (Hons) Drama (1st Class) from Liverpool Hope University, and an MA Professional Acting from Alra, London. His productions have toured across Ireland, the UK, Italy and the USA He won the 2019 John Fernald Award for Emerging Directors in UK and Ireland and is a multiple Arts Council Northern Ireland and British Council Award winner. Recent credits as director / producer include: "The Gap Year" (Lyric Theatre), "Lily" (VR Film), "The Gap Year" (1st Irish Festival, New York), "I Am Maura" (Lyric Theatre and NI Tour), "That Scottish Play!" (Lyric Theatre and NI Tour), "Women Troubles" (CQAF), "Shakespeare’s Women" (CQAF, Lyric Theatre and National Tour), "The Tain" (Milan, Italy and tour of Ireland) and "Romeo and Juliet" (Hen & Chickens, London).
As Assistant / Associate Director: "Three Sisters" (SITI Company, Singapore International Arts Festival), "Molly Sweeney" (Goodman Theatre Chicago), "Sweeney Todd" (NI Opera / Lyric Theatre), "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" (Terra Nova)
TraceyLindsay
SetDesigner
(she/her)
Tracey trained at The University of Wales, Aberystwyth receiving a BA Honours in Drama and Scenography.
Recent design credits include, Set Design ‘Little Woman’ (Lyric Theatre); Set and Costume Design ‘The Headless Solider: An Opera Triptych’ (The Belfast Ensemble); Set Design ‘Rhino’ (Tinderbox Theatre Company); Set Design ‘The Hen Do’ (Martin Lynch & GBL Productions); Instillation art piece ‘The Molly Bed’ Arts Over Boarders.
Credits include, Set Design ‘Hume-Beyond Belief: The Life and Mission of John and Pat Hume’ (Playhouse, Derry); Set and Costume Design ‘Silent Trade’ (Kabosh Theatre Company); Set and Costume Design ‘Big Man’ (Lyric Theatre); Set and Costume Design ‘In The Name Of The Son -The Gerry Conlon Story’ (Green Shoot Productions)
GarthMcConaghie SoundDesigner
(he/him)
Garth has worked extensively as a Composer, Sound Designer, Musical Director, Arranger and Music Producer for studios, theatre, film and television.
Recent TV/Radio Credits: Derry Girls (Hat Trick Productions, Channel 4), Flight (BBC 1 / BBC 4), My Mother and Other Strangers (BBC 1), Malaria, (BBC Comic Relief), and many more
Recent Theatre Credits: The Night Before Christmas (MAC, Belfast), Burnt Out (Lyric Theatre, Belfast), Rhino (Tinderbox Theatre Co ), and many more.
ChristineClark
StageManager
Christine has been stage managing since 2005. Her recent work includes ‘Anything to Declare’ and ‘My Grandfather’s House’ with Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre, ‘The Pirate Queen’ with Green Room Productions and ‘One Saturday Before the War’ with Bright Umbrella.
Christine has enjoyed work at Waterfront Hall and The MAC Belfast on the ‘Mule’ and ‘Killymuck’ tours with Kitchen Sink Productions She has also toured with Purple Penguin Productions on a number of shows including ‘Closer’, ‘The Same Old Story’ and ‘Disco Pigs’. A new highlight was last year for NI’s first ever Deaf Arts Festival, working on ‘Expecting’ with c21
This is Christine’s first time working with Commedia of Errors and she is looking forward to working and learning with the creatives involved in the project (she/her)
ClareMcMahon
JonathanM.Daley LightingDesigner
Jonathan is a writer, producer and lighting designer based in Belfast. Recent lighting design credits include: ‘All Growed Up’ (BYMT), ‘I Always Liked The Name Marcus’ (Tinderbox Theatre Company), ‘Holding Ground’ (Tinderbox Theatre Company), ‘Waiting For The Offo’ (Bosco Productions), ‘Mirrorball’ (Replay Theatre Company), ‘No Citation’ (Bourke Productions), and ‘The Untold Truth of Captain Hook’ (Replay Theatre Company).’ His upcoming work includes: ‘Rose + Bud’ (Commedia of Errors), ‘The Tragedy of Richard III’ (Lyric Theatre, Belfast) and ‘The Adventures of Red Riding Hood’ (The Mac, Belfast).
Co-Creative (she/her)
Clare McMahon is a playwright and actor based in Belfast and is Co-Creative of Commedia of Errors. A graduate of the Lir Academy’s MFA Playwriting she is currently under commission with Kabosh Theatre & Commedia of Errors and is one of the Abbey Theatre’s Centenary development awardees. She recently made her main stage debut with ‘The Gap Year’ at the Lyric Theatre. This smash hit production was chosen as one of British Theatre Guides ‘NI Highlights of 2022’. Previous plays include, 'Shakespeare's Women' & 'Women Troubles' (cowritten)
Clare was shortlisted writer for Fishamble New Play Company’s ‘Play for Ireland’ and is an alumni of the Lyric Theatre’s New Playwrights Programme. Her work has been selected for New York’s 1st Irish Origin Festival Vital Voices programme and she was a shortlisted writer for the Zodiak Kids Award with CBBC. As an actor Clare trained at Royal Central School of Speech & Drama and has worked in theatres across the UK & Ireland including the West End. Her work at home includes; The Lyric, The Mac, Tinderbox, Bruiser and Cahoots Television credits include playing Fanny in 'The Woman in White' (BBC1) and Carlo in 'AgathaThe Truth of Murder' (Netflix).
AllyMcConnell CostumeDesginer
(she/her)
Ally is a 21-year-old costume designer born, raised, and currently operating out of Belfast. Her passion began with her mother teaching her to sew from a young age. She went on to study Art and Drama at GCSE level and Production Design in college She developed a fascination with how costume design can convey so much about a character, beyond just their actions and the world they inhabit It reflects their outlook on life, motivations, feelings, true inner self, or the mask they wear. Telling a story through costume is her goal. After two years building her experience and skill set at the Lyric Theatre, learning from incredible, inspirational people, she is enthused to be designing this wonderful piece
CarrieNeal ProjectAssistant
(she/her)
Carrie joined Commedia of Errors from Arts Care, an arts and health charity. She has extensive experience in the arts and other non-profit organisations and has a masters degree in Arts Management and a first class honours degree in Media Production. Carrie is a multiplatform artist, from dancing in the Belfast Mela to photography and ceramics.
The Company
Commedia of Errors is an award-winning independent theatre company based in Belfast, creating art that responds to, challenges and questions the changing times in which we live. Following on from their highly acclaimed and sell-out show I Am Maura and the smash-hitTheGapYearwiththeLyricTheatre,theawardwinningorganisationaremakingtheirDublindebutbefore bringingtheshowhometoBelfast&Derry.
SKELPIELIMMERPRODUCTIONS,
