'Outrage' a story of women and war comes to to Longford's Backstage Theatre
The play follows two sisters, Alice and Nell, and their roles in organising key civic resistance and propaganda
'Outrage’, written by Deirdre Kinahan brings a rare perspective of women throughout Ireland's fight for freedom.
The play follows two sisters, Alice and Nell, and their roles in organising key civic resistance and propaganda.
The two sisters are startlingly real. Throughout the conflict, specifically the Civil War, they face their own internal conflict that many people living at the time felt themselves.
Naoise Dunbar, who plays PJ, Alice’s husband, spoke with the Longford Leader about ‘Outrage’.
“It’s a different perspective, and that is what Deirdre Kinahan has done expertly by putting women’s roles in the revolutionary wars to the forefront here.
“Looking at women as we went through the War of Independence and into the Civil War and seeing just how pivotal they are in just about everything,” Naoise explains.
She added, “It’s sad to see how that role diminished again when the state was set up and not much had changed for women.”
Naoise studied history at UCD, a skill that has served him well throughout this production.
“From my study of history and something I'm interested in any way as an actor, is personal stories, the social and cultural history that was happening at the time” he says.
“There were still stories of love going on and that’s what the play really lets you into, it’s not just the broad-stroke political stuff that’s going on like the votes and the Dáil and the columns,” remarks Naoise, “The story is about three people trying to navigate all the different factions and trying to navigate their idealism.”
Naoise describes how the play focuses on how people survived during these times and how the splits ultimately happened.
“We see the real splits and the different ideologies behind everything that happened and the personal impact it had on these three characters.”
The impact resonates off the stage and into the play's own viewers.
“People are coming up and sharing stories with us.
“It’s a real privilege to be part of opening up this conversation because it’s such a divisive part of our history.”
Naoise has his own stories from the time, ones passed down from his grandparents about the split that cut through the country for so long.
“To hear them speak about the splits and the vitriol that would have been around Civil War politics and the passion that engendered people.
“But there were also really tragic stories like the Hale brothers in Tipperary, who were fighting opposite each other in the Civil War.
“The fact that people didn’t speak about it is so sad I think,” the actor explains, “To be able to remember these people and the contribution that they made to Ireland, whatever side they were on, these people were fighting for what they believed in.”
He recalls a poignant line in the play “The hurt seemed to sit on every man and woman's shoulders no matter which side their loyalties lay.”
The play also highlights the voices lost in the crossfire who didn’t take either side.
Naoise was kind enough to tell us a little bit about his character PJ who, having fought for independence turned away from the conflict that followed.
“It was an awful, awful position that people found themselves in, and some people were just looking for peace.
“My character was on that side of it and ultimately as the play develops he doesn't want to take any side.”
“He just wants to keep going and he's trying to start a business and all the rest of it. But there are other characters like Nell and then Alice that get sucked into it” He explains, “They just feel that the sacrifice of their former colleagues that have died couldn't be left sit with the treaty.
“It's just, it's so profoundly human, I think is what the play throws up. And it doesn't take any sides. I think you understand everyone's point of view.”
‘Outrage’ does not only touch on the hidden heroes and regular people of this conflict but also the hidden victims. The victims of gender-based violence.
“It’s something that’s not necessarily spoken about in the history books or something that people might necessarily be aware of.
“Gender-based violence is present in every war and there’s a line in the play, “Why would Ireland be any different?”
“It’s unearthing those dark corners of Irish history that are very uncomfortable but are necessary to look into and to face up to now,” he says, “ I just think that’s been a real success from Deirdre who has opened her eyes to a lot of this.
“It’s not highlighted by any media or even the history books about the War of Independence or the Civil War.
“If you think that wouldn't have been in Ireland, of course it was, look at the coercive control the Church tried to impose on women.
“In terms of the play itself, Deirdre is just a master of writing dialogue, the scenes are hopping off the page,” remarked Naoise.
“It's such a joy for me to be able to play across from Katrina Ennis and Mary Murray and be directed by Jim Cullet and all the Fishamble team.”
‘Outrage’ will be performed at Backstage Theatre on Tuesday, November 19 and Wednesday, November 20.