Sisters is the title of a groundbreaking new Irish musical that celebrates the pioneering women of the past, while paying homage to those who lit the fire of change in Ireland.
Set in 1971 against the backdrop of Catholic Ireland and the rise of the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement, the show revolves around the story of a young single mother, Bernadette Boland, ostracised by her community, as she embarks on her journey toward self-empowerment.
Like many single mothers at the time, Bernadette is shunned by her family and is invisible in society. Obtaining necessities like housing and employment proves extremely challenging. Meanwhile her sister Kathleen struggles with her new married life even as the youngest, Noleen, embraces the budding sexual revolution.
Bernadette’s life is changed when she gets a waitressing job at Gaj’s restaurant on Baggot Street. Margaret Gaj, who owned Gaj’s on Baggot Street, was one of the founders of the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement (IWLM), and her restaurant was a place frequented by the revolutionaries, eccentrics and outsiders who clashed, argued and rose up to envision a liberated and free Ireland.
Unsurprisingly, Bernadette’s encounters with the radical customers at Gaj’s bring upheaval and change to not only her own life, but to her family and consequently the country.
Described as “both entertaining and deeply moving”, Sisters celebrates the pioneering women of the past while paying homage to those who lit the fire of change in Ireland.
Written and directed by Tracy Ryan with musical direction by Kaeylea B. VanKeith, Sisters opens at the dlr Mill Theatre Dundrum at 7.30pm on Saturday, September 24th, and will run from October 4th-8th at 7.30pm each night with a matinée performance on 8th October at 2.30pm. Tickets €22-€25.
For further information visit milltheatre.ie
