The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) is to fund next year’s planned musical drama based on the life of the late John Hume.
Plans for 'Beyond Belief' were unveiled by Derry’s Playhouse Theatre earlier this year. The production will tell Mr Hume and his wife Pat’s story and will be premiered next year on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
Created and written by Damian Gorman, with music by Brian O’Doherty, the work will be directed by Kieran Griffith.
Throughout his life, Mr Hume championed the Credit Union movement as a way to lift people out of the poverty trap. He was a founding member of Derry Credit Union and the ILCU’s youngest president. With Pat Hume, he worked on evenings and weekends at the institution. Mr Hume always said his role in the credit union movement was among his proudest achievements.
Confirming the £45,000, ILCU chief executive David Malone said many towns and communities in Ireland now have “vibrant credit unions” thanks to the work carried out by Mr Hume in the 1960s.
“John was only able to do this (work) because of the support he had from Pat who kept things on an even keel at home while he travelled the county. Beyond Belief is a fitting tribute to this extraordinary couple,” Mr Malone said.
