'Enough to Wake the Dead'

Full length play opened 21st July 2021 in association with Townsville Little Theatre and the NAFA Fringe Festival. The following was published in The Townsville Bulletin 24th July 2021.

'Hilarity to spare in standout premiere...a play that has the hilarity and humanity to become regularly staged by community and professional theatre companies all over the world...Enough to Wake the Dead is the first staging of a full-length play written by local playwright Catherine McKernan Doris and it is a triumph. ..This is a very funny play, in parts side-splittingly hilarious yet tinged with darker moments brought on by "the Troubles", sibling rivalry, a teenage dilemma and death itself.'

'Trust Me! I'm an Actor.' 

'...Catherine McKernan Doris has already had one of her plays produced overseas and her latest...is destined to have a long and successful life well after its run in Townsville.' 

Ray Dickson for The Townsville Bulletin

'Enough to Wake the Dead'

'I completely believed the family dynamic. Such a beautiful blend of humour and empathy and theatricality'

Terri Brabon, Theatre iNQ

'...Enough to Wake the Dead! Catherine McKernan Doris your script was scrumptious...I wanted to put your words in my mouth'

Arminelle Fleming, Theatre iNQ

'I haven't been able to stop thinking about your play...I want a prequel!'

Anna Vella-Sams, Theatre iNQ

"Everyone I spoke to was raving about what they had just viewed. There were laughs, sighs, groans and awes of sadness throughout but the mark of gratitude for what everyone experienced emanated in every member of the audience rising to their feet in a standing ovation to give you and the cast the accolades that were well earned!"

Kevin O'Neill former member of CRAIC Theatre, Ireland. 

'The Grave Yard Shift'

'I was looking for a play that was darkly comedic, something with an edge to it. "The Grave Yard Shift" was my first choice...It was a play that fitted comfortably into the ten minute format that would allow lots of breathing space and changes of tempo.'

Zoë Harvey, Director and Writer at Torrid Films

I had the opportunity to direct Catherine McKernan Doris' ten minute monologue called The Grave Yard Shift in the Queensland Short + Sweet Festival in 2021. I was drawn to the text in the first instance because the writing was complex, comical, concise, deliberate, well structured and challenging. Working with the actress, Pauline Clyne, the rehearsal process was a constant delight, each session discovering new gems in the texts, opportunities to play with pitch and intonation to further heighten the structure of the piece and furnish the character. Catherine is a wordsmith who flourishes her characters and stories with care and precision. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to following Catherine's future work.

Janet L. Palmer - Director

The Grave Yard Shift...is a comic monologue...concerning some of the hazards of a husband and wife thrust together during Covid lockdown. It was the highlight of the evening

Ray Dickson for The Townsville Bulletin 4th September 2021