Eclipsed
This play was the first to speak out on the plight of the Magdalene women and their treatment in Irish society. The content of the play was inspired by the playwright’s personal experience as a novice in a Galway convent in the 1960s and her subsequent experience in the ‘laundries’. After what she witnessed she did not continue as a nun.
The “Magdalenes” (as the young women the play features were called) were a hidden group that others only spoke about in hushed whispers. All had three things in common: they were young, single and pregnant. These young women were placed in religious institutions by a family member or priest and most had their babies taken off them, without their consent. Some were themselves orphan children who had never been adopted. To pay for their keep, the ‘Magdalenes’ worked in laundries run by religious orders throughout the country. They had no rights and no proper living conditions and some lived in these places until they died, ran away or became mentally unstable. When this play was first produced and staged it began the dialogue that still reverberates today about Ireland’s shameful past and the hypocrisies that existed and many other similar plays & films quickly followed.
This is quite a short play with just eight female characters and their interactions. The play quickly draws us into the drab and hopeless lives of the women and we see many themes particularly the loss of liberty, respect, freedom and desires. There are many contrasts in the play: Reverend Mother v young nun, rich v poor, treatment of women v men, freedom and loss of freedom to mention a few.
Reviewed by Helen M. Co.Clare
After reading this play we are left with a horrible taste in our mouths, feelings of loss and pain for each of the women and a desire that this would never happen again. i have seen this play performed on stage and I thought it was beautifully executed but it is a harrowing play particularly for such a young audience. This is not a piece of fiction: it is written from the author's heart and that resonates. I think that it could be challenging but suitable for study at senior level.
Michelle N. Co.Wexford
There are many other plays that are more suitable that would lift a young person’s heart and give hope and joy. Youth is surely a time to see the world as a wonderful place without having to deal with such harsh realities .
Cathy t. Co. Dublin
Thought-provoking and bleak but good for discussion and exploration in the classroom.
Janice McC Co.Dublin