'In developing his theme Mr. Parker gives us plenty of entertainment value. His two young Belfast songwriters, dismissed from teaching . . . set up with a girl singer to churn out song-fodder for all occasions. This means, Protestant ditties and instant Catholic ballads to fallen heroes.

Two live bullets through the post and the warnings of a previous teacher colleague set them in flight to Dublin and then London. Success seems at hand . . . Belfast is far away — but then comes all too close.'
                                      — The Sunday Telegraph

Catchpenny Twist was first produced in the Peacock Theatre, Dublin, in August 1977. Three months later it was shown on the BBC.