Main content
This programme is not currently available on BBC iPlayer

Ups & Downs

A young man with Down's Syndrome tricks his sister into a road trip to go to a concert, while being pursued by their mum. With no phones, no money and no plan, can they make it?

Conal is a 22 year old with Down's Syndrome. Full of heavy metal attitude, he wants to be a rock star. Mum, Fionnuala lost her husband five years ago and places a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of her daughter Gemma, 18. She is mum number two. Conal wants to be treated as an adult and Gemma wants her own life, but Fionnuala is too stressed to take this on board. While Gemma looks forward to university in Scotland, Conal can only see his life getting worse. But he has a plan.
He hoodwinks Gemma into taking a trip to Antrim, agreed by their mum, for a job. After missing the train, they get onto a tour bus, then things get a bit out of hand. Mum is mad with Gemma, blaming her during a phone call, for taking Conal to Antrim. Conal then reveals his plan - he has bought tickets for an Ash gig in Belfast that night.

Meanwhile, Fionnuala enlists the help of family friend Fergus to chase them down. What happens next involves vodka, crisps, a tractor crash, losing the tickets, a sports car, separating and getting lost in Belfast, selling everything, but still having no way of getting to the gig together. Meanwhile Fionnuala is learning to chill. So how will it end? Will they all get together somewhere? And most importantly, will they get to the gig?

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 20 Mar 202322:40

Credits

RoleContributor
FionnualaSusan Lynch
ConalJames Martin
GemmaRosie Barry
FergusKeith McErlean
JontoGerard McCabe
Ruth (the busker)Emily Lamey
Siobhan (the busker)Louise Parker
ActorMark Asante
Tour GuideAntoinette Morelli
AntoTommy Finnegan
BouncerKeith Lynch
BarwomanJo Donnelly
ThemselvesAsh
WriterEoin Cleland
DirectorEoin Cleland
ProducerKevin Jackson

Broadcasts

  • Mon 22 Apr 201921:00
  • Mon 20 Mar 202322:40