British Council Australia proudly supports Never Always Ever Was, a cross-cultural theatre collaboration addressing climate change through shared storytelling.
Developed through the British Council Connections Through Culture 2024-25 grant programme, this partnership unites c21 Theatre Company from Northern Ireland with Australian playwright Fleur Murphy. Together, they explore how climate change affects coastal communities across time and geography.
Premiering as a staged reading at the National Celtic Folk Festival in Portarlington (6–9 June 2025), the play traces two characters from the 1960s through 2040s, examining inherited legacies and environmental threats.
The collaboration draws on the historical connection between Belfast, Northern Ireland and Port Fairy, Australia (originally Belfast in the 1840s), using this shared heritage to examine climate impacts on coastal communities globally.
This premiere event represents a bold and timely cross-cultural collaboration that brings together the unique creative energies of Ireland and Australia. Never Always Ever Was tells a sweeping, multigenerational story that traverses decades—from the 1960s through to the 2040s. At its heart are Danny and Julia, whose intertwined lives, shaped by the legacy of their ancestors and the future of their descendants, explore the impact of environmental change on coastal communities and the deep threads that bind people across time and place.
“This is an important moment for us,” said Stephen Kelly, Creative Director and co-founder of c21 Theatre Company. “Our work champions new writing and meaningful connections. Partnering with the National Celtic Folk Festival on this international collaboration opens up exciting creative pathways.”
c21 Theatre Company is a professional, critically acclaimed touring theatre company based in Belfast in the North of Ireland. Founded in 2005, c21 champions new stories with an eye to international audiences and festivals. The company embraces traditional, digital, and interactive methods as well as site-specific projects.
Playwright Fleur Murphy, co-founder of 29 Scenes Theatre Company, brings her signature sensitivity and storytelling power to this new work. Her award-nominated plays span immersive theatre, stage, and screen, with themes that resonate deeply with contemporary audiences.
“This project is incredibly close to my heart,” said Murphy. “It’s about legacy, connection, and how we respond to the world we’re shaping—and the one we’re leaving behind.”
Never Always Ever Was demonstrates the power of UK-Australia creative partnerships in responding to urgent environmental challenges through innovative storytelling.
Audiences at the National Celtic Folk Festival will be the first to experience a live reading of Never Always Ever Was, and will have the opportunity to be part of the creative process through a post-show Q&A session with the artists. This interactive format invites the community to offer feedback and engage directly with the creative team, providing valuable insights as the work evolves.
Visit National Celtic Festival website for more information and tickets.