The Gospel of Orla

Orla is a very smart but deeply troubled 14 year old girl who has recently lost her mother. She finds it impossible to settle into her home and school life with this new reality. She believes if she can escape to Ireland, her birth place, she will find comfort and solace with her relatives. She works day and night to put everything in place for her journey.

The stranger is a mysterious dark skinned, dark haired refugee in his early 30’s. He has recently arrived in the county after being the sole survivor of terrible accident at sea. A stranger in a strange land, he is searching for his community, his audience, as he is tasked with bringing the good word. 

Dad is barely holding it together. Recently widowed and grieving deeply, Dad has the responsibility of caring for his two daughters, Orla, 14, and Lily, 2yo. By day his is trying to be a good dad, but by night the sadness moves in and he drinks to ease his profound sorrow.

Lily is the bridge between Orla and Dad, who while complete at odds with one another, they both agree that Lily needs their loving care.

Mom comes to the story only through Orla’s memory of her, yet she is a pivotal character to Orla’s conflict, and ultimately to her redemption.

Fantasmo the Elephant becomes a magical force in Orla’s life, as she sees part of her own emotional-self in the eyes of this magnificent animal, and wants  to liberate her from the chains that bind her.