Award-winning Comedian John Meagher tickles Northern Ireland’s “supernatural” underbelly in THE DIVIL’S OWN, a documentary from new Belfast Indie: FABEL Productions, coming to Radio 4: 21st of April at 7.30 pm.
Did you ever have a reoccurring dream that you think might just be a memory? Or a nightmare so vivid that it could almost be real? John Meagher has; he’s been dreaming about a group of devil worshippers of all things who may or may not have terrorised his home town of Newry, since the early ‘90s.
Jon Ronson said of THE DIVIL’S OWN: “I laughed out loud. and I thought the transition from comedy into tragedy was absolutely effortless. Totally seamless.”
THE DIVIL’S OWN is a funny and personal journey into Northern Ireland’s complicated, scary and sometimes downright bizarre past as he faces a unique version of “Satanic Panic” in search of the truth behind his nightmares.
Of course, these nightmares do come from memories…sort of. The nightly visions of Black Magic are based on more than just blarney. Even John couldn’t have dreamt where his questions would lead…Recorded across the Islands of Ireland and Britain, THE DIVIL’S OWN is an ambitious, funny and surprising piece of factual audio storytelling from an assured performer in his Radio 4 hosting debut.
Commissioning Editor Hugh Levinson said “”This is a story that has everything – jump scares, suburban satanists, laughs, larks, history and politics. And one that comprehensively proves the adage that truth can be very much stranger than fiction.
John Meagher said “Getting to make a show about my hometown and telling the story of “The Whitehoods” has been the most incredible experience. I’m delighted with how it turned out, and feel incredibly lucky to have done it with PJ and Keith who were fantastic collaborators throughout”.
PJ Hart said “John has a real talent for weaving complex historical events into an engaging and funny story, while never shying away from its more sobering moments”
Keith Martin, Creative Director of FABEL said: “We’ve been wanting to work with John for ages, he’s a great storyteller and this is quite a tale.”
JOHN MEAGHER: THE DIVIL’S OWN is a FABEL Production for BBC Radio 4, written and presented by John Meagher and produced by PJ Hart. It was edited by Jon Calver. Executive producer is Keith
Martin and the BBC Commissioning Editor is Hugh Levinson.
John Meagher.
In 2022 John was runner up in the prestigious Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year, before winning the Panel Prize at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe as part of “Best in Class” the working-class stand-up showcase. This success has gained John a following for his timely writing and bold performances and seen him recognised as one of Ireland’s top new comedians, and in demand as an important working-class voice.
He has supported legendary Irish comedian Patrick Kielty on his recent “Borderlines” tour and his own solo standup show “Big Year” will debut at Gilded Balloon in August 2024 as part of the Edinburgh Fringe. Before his life in stand-up comedy, John was a Martial Artist and fought for the Irish team at the World Karate Championships, as well as training for years in mixed Martial Arts – think Joe Rogan if he believed in vaccines.
Keith Martin and FABEL Productions After establishing BBC Writersroom in Ireland, Producer Keith Martin set up FABEL Productions to meet the need for trusted, indigenous, editorial scripted Producers in Belfast. In its first year FABEL was commissioned by Radio 4 Comedy and Drama, BBC TV Comedy and C4 Drama and named one of C4’s Emerging Indies and the BBC Small Indie Fund. Keith’s previous scripted credits include: Exec:
The Break for BBC3/BBC Drama and FRIGHT SHORTS for BBC Comedy. Producer/dev. producer credits include PUMPED, V-SIGN for BBC3, SHORT STUFF for BBC Scotland, Lagging for CBBC and Soft Border Patrol for BBC NI/BBC iPlayer. And creator/writer/producer credits include Headwreckers for C4, APE for E4, Touching people for RTE My BFFF for CBBC and SKETCHY for BBCNI.
Link to show:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1b4doqtyo5mhrkywh7moy/JOHN-MEAGHER-TDO-FABEL- 24.wav rlkey=vnxqiab1pydpr1xcprdap5dqk&dl=0
CLANRYE NEWS 