What happens when a town takes on the retelling of its own dark history?

THE BIG CHAPEL X was a promenade adventure into an alternate world of gods and monsters. A future-town where lies and truth are interchangeable, and public opinion is formed by dangerous rhetoric.

A place where the only hope for the future is the voice of a teenager.

This could be my town, or your town... or any town…

Thomas Kilroy’s  Booker-nominated novel is a fictionalised retelling of  the real events surrounding the internationally notorious Callan Schools’ Affair. 

Our radical adaptation saw the people of Callan retelling their own story, using the town of Callan as its stage. Supported by an exceptional team of professional artists, The Big Chapel X was a unique theatrical experience and the culmination of a year-long series of events celebrating the work of one of Ireland’s greatest writers.

Generously supported by an Arts Council of Ireland Open Call Award, The Kilkenny Arts Festival and The Abbey Theatre.