The Prime of Johnny Broody
The Prime of Johnny Broody

A dark Irish comedy of greed, lust and sandwich making. Johnny Broody has two spirits watching over him, as he cares for his dying mother. His impending fortune causes many attempts to sway him in the small fictional village of Caherdaniel.

On a windswept Irish bog positioned somewhere in the afterlife, two Irish ghosts meet to narrate the story of Johnny Broody’s prime. Johnny is a teetotal bachelor in his fifties who has spent most of his life caring for his mother, the bitter and entirely villainous Bridie. His life up to now has been cloistered and empty of incident – and most of the neighbours think he’s a bit of an eejit - but Bridie is finally about to cast off her mortal coil, and Johnny is about to come into quite a bit of money.

Johnny’s imminent affluence attracts the attention of a host of greedy neighbours, including the local Senator, who also happens to be the uncle of a girl Johnny jilted – at the fearsome Bridie’s insistence – thirty years ago. The situation is also complicated by the arrival of Johnny’s younger brother, Billy, desperate for a slice of the cake now that the old girl is finally on the way out. Johnny isn’t quite as gormless as his neighbours assume, and he has a plan to escape – but will it be enough?

This programme is funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence Fee.

Shortlisted for the UK International Radio Drama Festival 2017.

First Broadcast on Midlands 103 at 7pm on Tuesday 20th December 2016.



Written and directed by Jason Gill.
Produced, recorded and edited by Alan Meaney.
Music by Eamonn Bailey.
Johnny Broody played by John McGlynn.
Billy Broody played by Martin Kelleher.
Bridie Broody played by Tina O'Hara.
Female Ghost played by Chrissie Killian.
Mae Ghost played by Ronan Flynn.
The Doctor played by Paul Gill.
Senator Donegan played by Christy Ibbotson.
Nurse Lacey played by Martina Breen.
Sinead Donegan played by Anne Hoey.

Thanks to Orla Kirwan, Midlands 103, The Hoey family, Marion Mac Neela, The Malthouse Athlone, and Freesound users - leady, pillonoise, ragamuffin.

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