PLAY READING - MAY DAY
By Holly Furey
Directed by Julie Kelleher
February 3, 2024 at 3 PM
St. Thomas’ Parish (1517 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20036)
Free, donations welcome
"This is the only time in the history of the State that you’re allowed act like a mad, angry woman & get away with it"
May 1st, 2018. Dublin.
Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor’s fame is at an all time high & in less than four weeks, the Republic of Ireland will host a public vote referendum on abortion rights.
The Repeal the Eighth campaign fought for the rights to safe, legal access to abortion in Ireland. During this time, McGregor became a new icon for Irishness, a type of working-class hero – he had immense marketing power & influence. Many found his influence difficult to reconcile - while admirable as an athlete, uncertainty hung over his ethics, behavior & influence on young men. Violent incidents occurred outside of the ring & McGregor faced charges in relation to assaults & driving offenses.
Ciara & Julie are long time friends struggling to connect amidst the turbulence of this time. They may be on the same side politically but they can’t seem to agree on the best way through a difficult month.
MAY DAY is the recipient of Solas Nua’s Dublin Fringe Festival “New Voices Award”
Holly Furey is an artist and writer with a background in arts administration, having worked for festivals at home and abroad including the Dublin Theatre Festival and the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Holly's artwork has featured in the HALFTONE annual print fair and the Dublin Canvas Project and her writing has appeared in the Honest Ulsterman, the RTE Bookshow and Belfast's No Touching Theatre Festival 2020. Holly receieved an MFA in Playwriting from the Lir Academy at Trinity College Dublin, and her most recent piece MAY DAY was the recipient of the 2023 Solas Nua Dublin Fringe Festival “New Voices Award.”
