Anna Leckey, Artistic Director and Producer for Three’s Theatre Company is the MAC‘s latest Artist In Residence, and she is putting every inch of The MAC to good use (both in terms of physical space and activism of course) in Now For The North.
Three’s Theatre Company is hands down the most exciting theatre company in Belfast at the minute, and with their unique brand of ‘choice theatre’ (where you literally get to choose your own path at each show), you know you’re in for a treat every single time you see one of their productions. However, much like for the women of Northern Ireland, at Now For The North you don’t get a choice.
Women leave NI each week, crossing the waters seeking treatment. Behind every statistic is a real woman.
We are here to speak out and tell the stories. Behind every statistic there is a woman… A real woman with a life, passions, commitments, a family and friends. A woman who is not being supported by their government, a woman who must travel to receive the medical help they need. We are not ashamed, we will stand for our sisters, our mothers, our grandmothers, our cousins, our friends. Northern Ireland, We Want Change.
A fast-paced, intriguing and thought-provoking piece of immersive theatre, Now For The North allows you to explore The MAC, following the stories of various women from Northern Ireland and their reproductive rights (or lack thereof). Every week 28 women make the harrowing, lonely journey across the water to seek abortions, and that’s why only 28 people per showing get to make the journey around The MAC.
Starting in the basement, the audience can browse an installation by anonymous Facebook page In Her Shoes Northern Ireland, before heading to the women’s toilets where the real journey begins.
Over the course of the evening you’ll hear the stories of all types of people, young and old as you traverse The MAC, and for such a serious topic, the show really does have its light-hearted moments, which helps to highlight that these could be the stories of real people, people just like us.
The actors do a fabulous job of staying in character despite the busyness of the MAC, raising their voices over the chatter and even stifling a few laughs when a gaggle of nuns rush by (Sister Act was on in the main theatre). This is live theatre, in a real world setting and it’s moments like this that help the group to feel connected to both the actors and each other.
Full of empathy, sensitivity and surprisingly enough, humour, Three’s Theatre Company highlights just how far Northern Ireland has to go before catching up.
Showing at The MAC Theatre in Belfast until 28th September, you can find out more information or buy tickets here.
