‘The man who swallowed a dictionary’

An insightful play, based on the remarkable life of a former UVF member turned politician Dawho was instrumental in the peace process, is coming to the Strule Arts Centre later this month.

Titled ‘The Man Who Swallowed A Dictionary’, the performance on Thursday, September 26, will tell the story of David Ervine’s transformation from UVF member to the leader of the PUP, and his quest for peace.

As well as being an important figure in the history of Ulster loyalism, Ervine was also known for his grasp of the English language and capacity for using ‘big words’ in television interviews, hence the title of the play.

Ervine was arrested in November 1974 while an active member of the UVF. He was driving a stolen car containing five pounds of commercial explosives, a detonator, and fuse wire.

After seven months on remand in Crumlin Road Gaol, he was found guilty of possession of explosives with intent to endanger life.

He was sentenced to 11 years and imprisoned in HM Prison Maze.

Ervine was released from the maximum security jail in 1980.

He owned a newsagents in Belfast for several years before taking up full-time politics.

He stood in local council elections as a PUP candidate in 1985. In 1998, he was elected to the Assembly to represent Belfast East and was re-elected in 2003.

Ervine is said to have played a pivotal role in bringing about the loyalist caesefire in 1994.

He was part of a delegation to Downing Street in June 1996 that met then British Prime Minister, John Major, to discuss the loyalist ceasefire.

Ervine was considered one of the most progressive unionists in politics.

He had been a strong supporter of the Good Friday Agreement, and was one of the few unionist politicians actively to support the Agreement.

After attending a football match on Saturday, January 6, 2007, it was confirmed that Ervine had a heart attack, a stroke, and brain haemorrhage.

He passed away at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast on Monday, January 8, 2007.

It’s an incredible story, providing a great insight into, not just the man, but the Protestant community in the most turbulent period of the Troubles.

Playwright Bobby Niblock, who served time in prison alongside Ervine, has written several plays exploring the politics of the Protestant working-class community.

l To buy tickets or for information on the play, you can visit:
struleartscentre.co.uk