THEATRE OF CHANGE SYMPOSIUM
Some of the most resonant events at the Abbey in recent years have been almost all talk. There was Panti’s speech, in 2014, a depth-charge of oratory that blasted oppression and unchecked homophobia before the sweep towards marriage equality. Late last year, it hosted the Waking The Feminists (WTF) meeting, partly an exercise in damage control (WTF was a response to the theatre’s plans for a male- dominated commemoration year), but also opening the way for meaningful dialogue and a plan of action.
And, for the third year, it has curated an event of breadth and depth to encourage debate, provoke thoughts and reach for answers to the most rewardingly knotty questions. Previously, it addressed the subjects of memory and war. Now it’s time for change.
That’s a pertinent question to begin the commemoration with – rather than ask for a review of the nation, this symposium from January 21st-23rd, asks what kind of nation we would like to see, in what kind of world. Hence the expansive and impressive assembly of events and speakers, which include: a talk from radical feminist Penny Arcade (above); Mark O’Halloran’s documentarian interviews with women on abortion; author and critic Andrew O’Hagan on the ethics of storytelling; Emer O’Toole and Susan Cahill on the movement to repeal the 8th Amendment; and Richard Kearney and Sheila Gallagher presenting a multimedia response to on-the-ground stories of 1916.
A later addition is a presentation by Waking The Feminists, which may be a satisfying reflection of what these symposia have done best: to be able to talk freely, to listen and respond. Tickets are €25-75.
See abbeytheatre.ie.
