Between Trees and Water

description

WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?

Between Trees and Water uses documentary material, witness statements, court depositions and newspaper articles relating to the case of Bridie Kirk, who died in 1939 as a result of an illegal abortion, in a room in lodgings on Lavitt's Quay in Cork City. Set in an era when contraception was criminalised, it is a truly fascinating and deeply human story. From an historical perspective, it brings light to what might be summed up as a forbidden history - one in which abortion was an option (albeit an illegal one) for a Cork woman in 1939.

This play relates to the still current and still contentious issue of women's reproductive rights, and aims to show how little has changed for Irish society in relation to this taboo subject in over 70 years. It asks us whether or not we can continue to be silent and speaks to the notion of our public and private selves, our public politics and our private actions.

WHO WE ARE?

Painted Bird Productions was founded by Fiona McGeown in 2013. The company seeks to make theatre, using rich themes taken from cultural history to explore a collective present and possible future. We are particularly interested in exploring work that challenges the conventions of the theatrical space, using offsite venues to enhance innovative exchanges with our audiences.


WHAT'S THE PLAN?

We plan to stage Between Trees And Water in an offsite venue in Cork City centre (The Unitarian Church, Princes St), which will run from Sept 1-6 inclusive (http://www.everymancork.com/2014/02/between-trees-and-water/). We have also been invited to transfer the piece to Dublin, where it will be presented as part of the 2014 Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival, again in an offsite venue.

The project is the result of an ambitious collaboration between a cast of five - Shane Casey, George Hanover, Nick Kavanagh, Róisín O’Neill and Noelle O’Regan, composer Tom Lane, designer Deirdre Dwyer, dramaturg Thomas Conway, lighting designer Sarah Jane Shiels, sound designer Rob Moloney, production manager Katherine Mahony and director Fiona McGeown.

Dr. Sandra McAvoy is the Historical Advisor and the project is produced by Julie Kelleher and Eimear O’Donovan.


WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP?

After lots of hard work and knocking on doors, we have raised 100% of our production costs for the Cork leg so far, through the support of the HRA Pharma Foundation, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, The Everyman Theatre, Cork and MAKE. However, we fall short of the funds we need to cover the costs of a transfer to Dublin.

These mainly include:

Venue Rental: €1550
Production Transport: €700
Travel: €500
Accommodation: €2750

The €5,500 we hope to raise, through your generosity and support, would make up the remainder of our budget, and contribute to the successful presentation of this original and innovative production by some of Cork’s finest theatre professionals on a national platform.

We hope you can help us to tell this extraordinary story.

Thank you!!