A fine example of creative collaboration in the Digbeth area of Birmingham delivered a top quality Fifth Province event last night.  Our performance at Birmingham Irish Centre was the product of extensive work, over several months, developing contacts with local organisations: Birmingham Irish Heritage Group, Irish in Birmingham (welfare), Birmingham St Patrick's Association, The rnr Organisation (arts and culture consultancy), South Birmingham College and last, though by no means least, The Old Crown Inn.

We were especially pleased to welcome in the audience Mike Kalowski-Naylor from Arts Council England (West Midlands Region), whose remit includes getting to see theatrical work in the region that has ACE funding support.  It was extremely valuable to speak with Mike and gratifying to hear him so enthused by our own work and complimentary about the production.

Audience numbers can always do with being higher, but our Birmingham performance was particularly warmly received and the feedback most encouraging.  The event, as a whole, was a powerful reminder of the strength that lies in collaborative ways of working.