Writer: Rona Munro
Director: Rachel Watt
The story of Bold Girls follows three ladies living through the troubles in Belfast as they go about their daily chores, and then progress to a night out. As often happens when alcohol is consumed, a lot of truths come out about their intermingled lives.
The main characters are Marie (Gwen Watson) who’s house much of the action takes part in, her neighbour Nora (Primmie MacGillivray) and Nora’s daughter Cassie (Joann Watt). There is also the mysterious figure of Deirdre (Lailey Sinclair).
The contrast between domestic life, and the roadblocks and fires going on outside, runs through the play as a stark reminder of what people in Belfast lived through. The men in these girls’ lives are all mentioned as being either “taken” or in prison, or having died due to the troubles. Meanwhile the girls take care of their children and try to keep smiling which Marie seems to be the best at doing.
This play is a journey through their lives, emotions and inner turmoil. The relationships between them develop like a Polaroid picture becoming clear to those watching. There is obvious tension between Nora and Cassie, as often happens the daughter brings her children up differently to how her parents treated her. Cassie seems deeply troubled and it’s only on returning to Marie’s after the night out that her best friend finds out the true depth of this.
Bold Girls is certainly not an easy watch, or light entertainment, but it is very worthwhile spending an evening stepping into their shoes.
Runs until 24 April 2026 | Image: Adele Keith Pgotography
