A Better Locksmith Journey through Northern Ireland theatre 1984-2025

"I spent much of my childhood in close proximity to one of the world's great cultural institutions, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon..."For over four decades, during some of the most challenging periods in Northern Ireland's history, Welsh-born arts journalist and critic Jane Coyle has documented a theatre culture that refused to stand still.From major stages to community venues and unexpected public spaces, she followed performance wherever it lived-capturing not only productions, but the people behind them.Through interviews, reviews and features, her work preserves the voices of actors, writers, directors and theatre-makers whose creativity endured in times of uncertainty.Many of these writings were scattered across now-inaccessible archives. This collection restores them-offering a vivid, humane and deeply informed portrait of Northern Ireland's theatrical life.