Writer: Lesley Conroy
Director: Fiana Toibin
Epiphany written and performed by Lesly Conroy and directed by Fiona Toibin encapsulates the perfect character study of Greta Conroy in James Joyce’s short story “The Dead”.
The director Fiona Toibin together with the choreographer Muirne Bloomer incorporate Victorian dance sequences as a foundational structural device framing the Misses Morkens annual Epiphany party. Traditional dance styles such as the Waltz, Polka, Quadrille with their repetitive patterns of movement shape the emotional core of the play. The formalised choreography acts as a device to observe the other characters in Greta’s monologue, as they move in mechanical circles; highlighting the tension between generations who have gathered to celebrate the Epiphany.
Solo performances demand that transitions are clear. Lesley Conroy executes perfectly a moment that will transform her life forever, exposing her to a lingering grief she has carried for decades. Lighting design by Cathy O’Connell aids the transition by contrasting the exuberant party atmosphere with the solitary, raw painful moment, suggesting that Greta’s old love was more vivid than her tepid marriage to her husband Gabriel.
The production values are shaped by choice of music and costume to evoke the Joycean era. Dara Gill’s costume design displays a burnt orange Victorian dress; the colour of creativity to enhance the character of Greta, a complex, private woman shaped by her experiences, her husband Gabriel has never understood.
Runs Until 16th June 2026.
