Writer: Holly Furey
Director: Franziska Detrez
While it’s by no means a perfect place (yet), Ireland has had two significant leaps forward in how its citizens are treated in recent years. First came a referendum that confirmed the right to marriage for all couples, irrespective of the sex of the partners. Then the referendum that repealed the country’s Constitution’s 8th amendment, making abortion (apart from cases where the mother’s life was in danger) legal in the Republic for the first time.
At the time the country was gathering the strength and momentum to make these leaps, success was by no means guaranteed. Campaigning, debates and forceful arguments took hold of the national consciousness, dominating public and private discourse for months.
May Day takes place in a Dublin sitting room a month before the second referendum, to “Repeal the 8th.” It’s a deeply intimate conversation between two old friends, Julie and Ciara, who find themselves immersed in tension about the campaign. It’s the lens through which most other parts of life are now viewed, from Julie’s trouble finding a relationship and mental health worries of Ciara’s upsetting need for alcohol, her lack of control and irresponsible use of those around her.
Their early morning conversation frames the national debate in the most personal of ways, vibrantly showcasing the tenor and type of clashes going on around the country at that time. It’s an Irish story, but these two are avatars for women all over the world who have tough conversations and interactions founded in violence and oppression every day. Holly Furey’s script makes best use of the vernacular patterns of speech within Dublin, it’s poetic without being put on. As characters too, with Paige Leavy as Julie and Eimear Griffin as Ciara, they shine. Their individual vulnerability, alloyed with a deep discomfort and rejection of it, is drawn wonderfully.
The girls both have sympathetic positions. One stands loudly, proudly and is happy to confront those who wish to shout down her supported cause. The other believes strongly but prefers conversion via conversation over confrontation. We’re with them as they argue over the most correct form of activism, as bluster is exposed as hypocrisy, and are left questioning the foundations of the interaction as one is shown to be somewhat of an unreliable narrator of events.
While both are supporters of the same cause, these two girls show us the crucially important nuances that need to be considered and recognised within such a big-picture movement. There are multiple ways to move forward, and the play does a great job of presenting arguments for both approaches while leaving the way open for many more. May Day concerns an Irish social movement, but the lessons presented here for communication and viability of other ways to other means are important for those looking to make productive progress with any other important issue.
Runs until 2 August 2023
Camden Fringe runs until 27 August 2023
