Between Trees and Water

Between Trees and Water. Picture: John Allen

Written by Fiona McGeown and Thomas Conway

Winner of the Fishamble Best New Writing Award at Dublin Fringe Festival

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.

The production premiered offsite in the crumbling Unitarian Church, Princes Street Cork as part of the Everyman Theatre Summer Programme 2014. It then played at Dublin Fringe Festival that same year, picking up the Fishamble Best New Writing Award and an Irish Times Theatre Award Nomination for Best Sound Design by Tom Lane and Rob Moloney.

Composer: Tom Lane

Sound Design: Tom Lane & Rob Moloney

Set and Costume Design: Deirdre Dwyer

Lighting design: Sarah Jane Shiels

Dramaturg: Thomas Conway

Director: Fiona McGeown

Images: John Allen

Made with the support of the HRA Foundation, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, The Everyman Theatre (Cork) and MAKE, a residential workshop facilitated by Cork Midsummer Festival, Project Arts Centre, Theatre Forum and Dublin Fringe Festival

Shane Casey

George Hanover

Nicholas Kavanagh

Roisin O’Neill

Noelle O’Regan

“Between Trees and Water is a hidden gem of this festival, and one hopes that it will continue to evolve and evoke for a long time to come” – The Public Reviews  Blog – Ciara Murphy
http://www.thepublicreviews.com/tiger-dublin-fringe-between-trees-and-water-south-studios-dublin

“A stunning production.. beautifully choreographed” – The Irish Times
http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/stage/review-between-trees-and-water

“a still and sombre quality emerges from the impressive ensemble” – Evening Echo 

Musings In Intermissions

Commitment

Painted Bird is committed to make available through our website an archive of all all the stories we receive. To get to know better how to respond to those who have survived disaster.  To join the conversation—and to help others to join—about the reality of death and being okay with it.

Consent 

Painted Bird asks that storytellers consent to give your story to us in the form of a written or a verbal account, to advise us on how to interpret your story, to collaborate with us on how to edit your story and to waive your right to anonymity. 

Acknowledgement

Painted Bird acknowledges that your stories will only ever be told in your own words. We look to you to define what disaster means today. We recognise the challenge it is for you to have your story told publicly. We are mindful of the changes the experience of disaster has brought to you. We are further mindful of the changes its retelling in the theatre may yet bring.

Reminder

Painted Bird reminds storytellers that we place the emphasis on storytelling. We value storytelling for what it gives the listener and we believe that a theatre production can have no therapeutic value for the storyteller.

Copyright

Painted Bird retains copyright of all stories donated through the website. 

Commitment

Painted Bird commits to making available through our website an archive of all the stories we receive. 

Consent 

Painted Bird asks you to give us your story as an audio recording through Whatsapp or as a written account directly through the website, to advise us on how to interpret your story, and to collaborate with us on how to edit your story.

Acknowledgement

Painted Bird acknowledges that your stories will only ever be told in your own words.  

Reminder

Painted Bird reminds you that we place the emphasis on storytelling and asks you to recognise that this theatre production can have no therapeutic value for the storyteller.

Copyright

Painted Bird retains copyright of this production, which is devised from stories donated through the website.