‘the instrument of a universal magic that changes things into spectacles,
spectacles into things, me into others, and others into me.’ Merleau-Ponty I don’t care where you’re from When I’m tired; When I’m tired all traffic consumes my fuel At the same speed; tedium. I watched our three female Irish bodies shifting, In their soft red cups and felt that familiar desire rise; Make the best of it; Romantic Ireland may be dead and gone but here is a mirror to provoke reflection, voyeurism and show you what you’re currently part of. Tonight, it’s ornate and generous arms Held faces that were female, demure and tilted in polite interest. What do I know about riots? Mary, Mother, Madonna and Queen of the May! May for Riots and Anarchy! Feeling oppressed by how easy it is to evoke the bitch trope I stretch my neck in my seat and remember Audre Lorde’s words, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” Mother May I? The hive mind dashes home over wet cobbled stones, Weaves through the stumbling drunken grabby hands, Trusts only its own singular speed, Is relieved to deconstruct St Patrick’s perch on the church roof, Would take a snake any day Over a job in Carroll’s Irish Gifts And is grateful to have the liberty of the choice For as long as no-one notices. It’s always a relief to find something positive to seize on And I particularly enjoyed the duet between Masha and Patrick, As they stood and faced us, Each with one arm as long as the other, And performed a satisfyingly authentic rendition of the traditional minimum wage service industry duet. Ireland - wherever it takes you! Emma for DRAFF Playboyz by Martin Sharry ran at the New Theatre as part of Dublin Theatre Festival until October 1st. Image: Jaesin Yu
Posted: 01 October 2017 |