Perhaps the most irreverent 1916 TV project of the year (and irrefutably one of the best reviewed) – ‘Wrecking the Rising’ returns to TG4 starting this Sunday at 10.30p.m.
The three part mini-series, made by Tile Films, produced by Stephen Rooke, directed by Ruan Magan and written by James Phelan (‘Rasai na Gaillimhe’ & ‘Cheaters’) garnered great reviews on its’ initial release.
‘Wrecking the Rising’ follows the fortunes of three Dublin modern re-enactors who travel back in time to 1916, just as the Easter Rising is about to break out. Their first accidental contribution is to deprive the rebellion of one of its’ most famous leaders. Thereafter the trio must decide whether to keep history on course or use their in-depth knowledge to plot some new and unexpected outcomes.
The cast were lead by Peter Coonan, Owen McDonnell and Seán T. Ó Meallaigh. The trio received kudos for their performances with Seamas O Reilly in the Irish Times remarking that ‘The series is also elevated by the central performances of Peter Coonan, Seán T Ó Meallaigh and Owen McDonnell, a trio who inject just the right balance of pathos and farce to keep the show moving at its brisk and satisfying clip.’
Ian Doherty in the Irish Independent said ‘Wrecking The Rising is yet another example of the subversive brilliance that is emerging with increasing regularity from TG4.’
Bernice Harrison in the Irish Times was similarly full of praise for the ambitious production and its’ director ‘ The scenes of fighting are deadly serious and well choreographed, and the Proclamation signatories in the GPO play straight men to the comic trio. That makes the giddy goings-on, driven by the very fine performances of the time travellers – Coonan’s stands out – extremely entertaining.
Pat Stacey writing in the Evening Herald maintained ‘Wrecking the Rising is the kind of brainy, funny, audacious comedy I never thought we’d see on Irish television.’
‘Wrecking the Rising/Eiri Amach Amu’ is being shown on three consecutive Sunday nights at 10.30pm on TG4 starting on July 17th. Each episode will also be repeated on Friday night at approx 11.30 starting on July 22nd’
