Dubbeljoint Productions have signed up the services of an established young radio playwright, Pearse Elliott, and given him his first stage opportunity at the Belfast Institute for Further and Higher Education. In this compilation of four impassioned, heavily political monologues, Elliott's facility for writing for the voice is clear, though in theatrical terms, the overall effect is less satisfying.
Under the direction of Pam Brighton, four women follow each other on to the stage, each entering the empty bedroom of her dead child and relating her own harrowing tale of bereavement. Changes of curtains and posters give an indication of the past lives of the respective incumbents, as their mothers struggle to make some sense of the almost unimaginable violence of their deaths.
If sharing stories, facing horrific truths, learning to live with the hard edges of the peace process are part of the painful business of healing, so, too, is an attempt at forgiveness and understanding. None of these women, played by Rosena Brown, Anne-Marie Meenan, Brenda Murphy and Bridie McMahon, has yet reached that defining moment. They are angry, outraged, guilty, blaming God, themselves and their own dysfunctional family lives, lashing out in fury at the actions of the other side.
Elliott has used widely-reported, real-life stories as the basis for his monologues. But do the real-life survivors recognise themselves in these angry, unforgiving women? Is this art reflecting life - or what?
Continues until February 27th, then on tour to Dungiven, Longford, Cork, Monaghan, Donaghmore, Cootehill, Carrigallen, Dungloe, Ballybofey, Derry and Coleraine.