Powerful play exploring domestic violence to be staged at Portrush Playhouse

The Women’s Resource and Development Agency, in partnership with Reclaim the Agenda, will present Kabosh Theatre Company’s play Reunion, which highlights the long-term impact of conflict-related violence on women and their families.

The highly acclaimed play, written by Julie Dutkiewicz and directed by Kabosh Artistic Director Paula McFetridge, stars Jo Donnelly, Louise Mathews and Vince Higgins.

Reunion follows a family coming together after three decades of trauma, exploring the lasting consequences of violence and conflict across generations.

Paula McFetridge said: “Reunion is provocative theatre that bears witness to the deep-rooted, long-term impact of domestic violence on victims and their families. It effectively dispels myths, and encourages vital, supported discussion.”

The production opens at the Playhouse before touring venues in Belfast, Newry and Lisburn, with performances continuing until December 8. Each performance is FREE and will be followed by a discussion involving prominent anti-violence activists.

This production comes with a trigger warning as it contains sensitive content and age recommendation is 18 years and over. Booking can be done by emailing [email protected]

The play forms part of the annual United Nations 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, which includes the Reclaim the Night march and rally in Belfast on November 28. Other events will shine a spotlight on issues such as drink spiking and victim blaming.

Organised by Reclaim the Agenda, Reclaim the Night will bring together hundreds of women, members of the LGBTQ+ community and supporters.

Reclaim the Agenda spokesperson Helen Crickard said: “Violence in our streets and in our homes has not gone away. Too often, the perpetrators are not strangers lurking in the shadows but people known to us, people we trust and people who are part of our everyday lives.

“Women should not have to change their behaviour, restrict their movements or live in fear to keep themselves safe. Over these 16 days, we will come together to challenge violence, confront the attitudes that enable it and demand a society where women and girls can live free from fear.”

A wide-ranging programme of free events will accompany the march as part of the UN-inspired global initiative, which begins on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and concludes on December 10, Human Rights Day.

Also on the programme is In Plain Sight, a thought-provoking exhibition curated by Dublin-based Ruth Maxwell, which confronts one of the most persistent and damaging questions directed at victims of sexual violence: “What was she wearing?”

The exhibition will run at the Ramada Hotel on Waring Street from November 30 to December 2. There will be panel discussions and booking can be made by email [email protected].

The same venue will host a discussion on December 1 with Dr Mary Crilly and Dola Twomey from Sexual Violence Cork. The discussion will explore drink spiking and the organisation’s online Fix it Ireland campaign, which challenges how the media report on sexual violence and related crimes.

For more information, visit: https://www.reclaimtheagenda.com/