Advertised as a story exploring Queerness and Religion. The story is predominantly narrated about the life before Ciara O’Brian was born and up to the present day when she meets her “lover” Olivia Devlin. Ciara talks openly about her deceased Mother and discovers a whole other side to her life as she reads her Mother’s diaries.

However, can Ciara move beyond the fact that they are divided by religion as an Irish Catholic and Protestant? Although neither appears to be staunchly practising either religion.

There’s plenty of scope to develop this storyline further. At times the pair felt “staged” and I didn’t find it easy to believe that they were a couple, the chemistry needed to be stronger. To allow a storyline filled with tension and hurt as they try to navigate and overcome the religious trauma and troubles in Northern Ireland there needs to be passion in the pair’s delivery.

Delivering a play where worlds collide and attitudes judge the lifestyle choices of other people I would expect to leave the theatre feeling emotional and moved. With the correct adjustments, I feel this could be achieved. It’s potentially a powerful play bringing the religious divide still found at times in Northern Ireland to the stage and raising awareness about “homophobia” still experienced at times.

I would have liked to have heard more first-hand from the characters rather than the extensive narrative, especially towards the end.

For more information on this play and future productions at The Bread and Roses Pub Theatre please use the link below .

Three Stars.

https://nhs.ticketsforgood.co.uk/events/119208-clapham-fringe-ciara

claphamfringe.com
https://www.claphamfringe.com/whats-on-2023.html