A RALLYING CATHARSIS
​OONAGH MURPHY + MAEVE STONE
THE MOUTH OF A SHARK INTERROGATES THE IDEA OF HOME THROUGH THE PERSONAL TESTIMONIES OF MIGRANTS TO AND FROM IRELAND - ASYLUM SEEKERS ARRIVING FROM UNSAFE LANDS, AND IRISH RESIDENTS DEPARTING FOR REASONS OF PERSECUTION AND ABUSE. THE PIECE USES MUSIC TO ACCESS THE COMMON GROUND OF HUMAN EXPERIENCE, CREATING A SONG CYCLE THAT INTERWEAVES THE COLLECTED PERSONAL TESTIMONIES WITH ORIGINAL COMPOSITION.

CREATORS OF THE SHOW OONAGH MURPHY AND MAEVE STONE ARE ALSO THE FOUNDERS OF 'CHANGE OF ADDRESS', A COLLECTIVE FORMED TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE EXPERIENCES OF ASYLUM SEEKERS IN IRISH SOCIETY, LIVING IN DIRECT PROVISION. DIRECT PROVISION IS AN IRISH GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO 'DIRECTLY PROVIDE' FOR THE BASIC NEEDS OF REFUGEES IN THE COUNTRY WHILE THEY WAIT FOR THEIR CASES TO BE PROCESSED. THE REALITY IS THOUSANDS OF ASYLUM SEEKERS LIVING IN AN IMPOVERISHED LIMBO IN COMPOUNDS. WITH NO RIGHT TO WORK, COOK FOR THEMSELVES OR OTHERWISE CONTROL THEIR OWN LIVES, THEIR SANITY AND HOPE ARE STEADILY ERODED. 
​
THE MOUTH OF A SHARK ASKS THE INCREASINGLY URGENT QUESTION: WHERE DO WE GET TO CALL HOME?
PART #1
PART #2

< what words can say isn't enough > 

<  NO ONE LEAVES HOME UNLESS HOME IS THE MOUTH OF A SHARK >

< your silence will not protect you >
The Mouth of a Shark is directed by Oonagh Murphy, with original composition by Maeve Stone. The show runs at The Complex, Dublin, as part of THISISPOPBABY's Where We Live festival until March 15th. More on Change of Address here.